Storm Hawks
While My Heartstrings Gently Weep
By Jeremy "The Foxx" McLaughlin
Chapter 1:
"Incoming Transmission"
There was a soft techno beat coming from the speakers. It was a catchy tune Aerrow couldn't keep his feet from rocking to the beat. The metal floor was cool against his back as he continued to tinkering with this Sky Skimmer. Aerrow's green eyes checking over the panel one final time before closing and sealing it. In a flash of lavender and purple fur. Radarr scurried over holding out a can of soda before retreating up onto the seat of the skimmer to continue with his own appointed business. The small canine creature started right to work, putting the main console back together. Aerrow pulled himself out from under the skimmer as he sat up. His fiery red hair was covered in oil and grim from the skimmer. Quickly he opened the soda taking a drink.
"Thanks Radarr this is great." His young voice echoed in the empty hanger. "Speaking of great, this music is awesome."
Radarr squeaked and nodded firmly in agreement before turning back to his task at hand. His fingers moving through the wires pushing them back into place at the back of the gauges.
The music continued to drum through the entire Condor, even Stork found himself caught up in the beat as he checked over all the gauges and stats for the Condor making sure everything was in order. His long hair falling down over his eyes. He slowly swept it away. His skin a lime green color. One finger idly tapping one of the gauge readers as the arm pointed down limply.
"I wonder when this went out. Oh well it must have been a long time ago. I can't remember. I just leave it alone I'm sure it's harmless." He cupped his hands tightly in front of him as he furrowed an eyebrow. "On the other hand…it might just bring about our doom, oh well sooner rather than later."
His body was thin and frail looking all he did was shrugged it off and continued checking the other gauges.
Finn teeth shimmered gently in the light of the room as he checked his own reflection out in the mirror. Quickly and ran a comb through is hair pushing it up to the ceiling in tall spikes. His shimmering blue eyes traced down his thin looking shirtless form. He started shifting his hips in time with the beat.
"Hey, that's right ladies. Finn is one righteous piece of man." His spaced out voice filled the room.
As he walked for the door he grabbed a gray tank top to slip on, his steps falling in the same downbeat of the music. The door sliding open, the whole hall was filled with the music. Finn couldn't help but wonder what Piper and Starling were up to.
There was a spicy smell coming from the kitchen as Junko moved seamlessly from one part of the kitchen to the other, his hunger guiding his every step. The music from the overhead speaker didn't hurt either. His large stature was rather graceful as he carried armfuls of unidentifiable vegetables.
"Alright should I put Goober Onions, or Fawcha Tomatoes. Maybe I'll just put both on in, I'm sure no one will mind." He mumbled to himself as he looked at the cookbook.
"I really wish Stork would get some cookbooks that were written in English, I'm having so much trouble reading Merb." His slow voice was stressed.
The music continue to drum through the halls of the Condor. It seemed that the music was coming from Piper's room. She had set up a laboratory that she used to study all the different crystals she'd found all over Atmos. Piper moved around the room her orange eyes scanning over all the different colored crystals. She wore a headset that was hooked up to a small sound system. The music hummed from the box. Starling stood back holding a microphone up to her lips singing along with the music. Each crystal dimly lit with each tone that came out of her mouth.
Piper reached up and pulled her microphone down, doing her best to sing along with Starling, her voice was a bit shaken. Each of the crystals lit a little brighter. Piper looked down at the power amplification gauge frowning as they only grew in intensity by a little bit. Slowly she pulled her headphones off placing on top of the sound system before she turned the music off.
Starling continued to sing without the music. Her eyes popped open as she realized the music had stopped. A blush came to her cheeks as her green eyes snatched over to Piper, her lips pursing tightly.
"Sorry for not warning you." Piper squeaked out as she rested the amplification gauge down on the table next to all the crystals.
Starling removed her headphones and rested them next to Piper's before running her fingers through her purple hair. "Oh its quite alright, I like nasty surprises."
Piper giggled gently as her attention was drawn away by a knock at the door. She passed across the room quickly, pushing the red open button next to the door. Finn stepped into the room making twin guns out of his fingers, before making a clicking sound with his tongue. Starling caught herself rolling her eyes.
"How can I help you Finn?" Piper giggled a bit at the failed attempted to flirt with Starling.
Finn flashed a smile and flexed under the tank top. "Suzy-Lu is on the Comm to talk to you."
"Do you know why, by any chance?" Piper shifted her weight to one foot.
Finn winked at Starling before turning his attention back to Piper. "I dunno. Aerrow sent me to get you."
Piper nodded and started to walk towards the door. "You coming Starling?"
Starling raised and eyebrow looking at Finn as she laughed. "Finn give it up will you."
Starling followed closely behind Piper as they walked on towards the bridge with Finn in tow. It didn't take too long to make it to the bridge. The door opened on the bridge and headed to the nearest row of computer monitors sitting down. Suzy-Lu gave her a welcoming smile and a wink. Piper leaned in close to talk into the microphone.
"It's been a while Suzy, how are you doing?" Piper asked giving a happy wave.
"Oh I'm doin' alright there, I can't complain much eh. How about you there?" Suzy-Lu asked back as she could tell everyone was listening.
"I'm doing really well, bummed because my new experiments not coming along quite like I want it too." Piper leaned back in her chair making sure she could still be seen.
"Well that's a bummer doncha know." Suzy-Lu responded, after a moment there was a long pause.
"Is there something I can do for you Suzy?" Piper finally asked picking up on the hesitation.
"Well ya, I hate ta ask ya'll ta help like this. But my younger bro needs a place to stay for awhile. My pop is pretty ticked at him and well if I don't finda place fer him. Pop is gonna exile him. Do ya think you can take care of him fer a little?" Suzy-Lu blurted out as she rubbed the back of her neck.
Piper looked over at Aerrow. "Does that sound alright with you boss?"
Aerrow thought for a long moment. Having an adolescent Blizzarian on the Condor might prove difficult, but on the other hand the kid was in serious trouble. Again maybe some chores and training would do him some good. Aerrow finally nodded in acceptance.
"Aerrow is fine with it. Uhm I'll send you the co-ordinance. Right…three…two…one and now." Piper pushed a few buttons on the console next to the monitor.
"Oh awesome, ya guys are the best. I'll be there in a few. Man you guys rock hard there." Suzy-Lu quickly ended the transmission.
"Wow she must be in a wicked hurry huh?" Finn said leaning against Piper's chair.
Aerrow nodded. "Well under the current circumstances I can see why."
Piper rested her chin on her palm. "Yeah, I just hope this doesn't come back to bite us in butt in the end."
"Yeah having a young Blizzarian on board might be rough. I would strongly suggest he say off the bridge, for risk of smashing us into a Terra. Even though it would be a beautiful display of pyrotechnics I would much rather avoid it." Stork added as he looked down at the gauges on the steering wheel.
"I agree with Stork. I don't think we should try to suffocate him, but letting him have free run of the Condor." Starling added as she put her hands on her hips.
"You know what? I think we should make plans about what to do when he gets here, ya know?" Finn added as she stalked around the bridge.
"Maybe Finn's right, why don't we wait to meet him and then we can judge what to do." Aerrow added as he turned and looked out the window at the blue sky.