This is a sequel, of sorts, to "Heart of Darkness." What do I mean by "of sorts?" Well lets just say I might be a little crazy and I'm now writing a series from a series. Fun times! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Storm Hawks. They are owned by the ggod people at Nerd Corp Entertainment, and the ever fun guy Asaph "Ace" Fipke.
There are going to be OCs, quite a few of them. I'll do my best to make them interesting.
Terra Rium...Prologue
While the Storm Hawks were resting on their Condor, save for their pilot who was staying firmly awake and gripping tightly to the steering controls, the Sky Council was busy preparing for a sudden call to assemble in the private meeting chamber. It was dark in the Sky Council's private meeting chamber, only a single light was illuminating the circular table at the center of the room. Sitting around the table were the aging members of the Sky Council. They had been called to another late night session by their most senior member to discuss a recent call for help.
"You all know why we are convening in private at the time of night, correct?" The senior member asked to all of his fellow councilmen.
"Yes." The councilmen across the table spoke up. "We're here to discuss that terra."
The other council members simply nodded their heads as all attention turned back to the senior member. "They have put out a call for help. It would seem that since the fall of Cyclonis at Stryker's Folly..." He paused for a moment as he thought back to the events that had occurred only months ago. He continued after shaking off the memories and returning his attention back to the other council members. "Since that day, it would seem that Repton has been eager to expand his territory now that he no longer has Cyclonis to keep him in check. He has been attacking the terra on a regular basis."
"And why should we help them?" The councilman across the table spoke up again. "Why we even have dealings with them is beyond me." Some of the other council members nodded their heads at this statement, showing their agreement.
"It's because..." The senior councilman said firmly, getting everyone's attention once again. "It's because, they have rich deposits of some very rare crystals, remember? And let us not forget that they have helped us from time to time. They were even present at the Stryker's Folly and worked hard to keep many other squadrons alive and in the air."
A few of the other council members let out grumbles, reluctant to acknowledge this truth. The same councilman across the table from the senior member began to object again, firm in his own beliefs. "But still, they are nothing but..."
"A squadron dedicated to the survival of their home." The senior member interrupted, growing impatient with the other councilman's reluctance to help. "That fact alone makes them no different than any other squadron in the free Atmos, and we will lend them assistance. Am I clear?"
Nods and grumbles of consent came from the other members of the council, with a final reluctant nod of agreement from the councilman across the table from him.
"Good." The senior member smiled, relishing his victory over the opposing council members. "Now only on question remains. Who do we send?"
Silence fell on the council as they began to think over the possible candidates. One of the junior members spoke up from where he sat on the left side of the table. "Who did we usually send to deal with them?"
"Stryker." The senior member replied with a slight groan. "He and his Atmosian Guard were good to use as middlemen between us and them. But, as we are all aware, that is no longer an option."
"What about Harrier and the Rex Guardians?" One council members suggested with mild enthusiasm.
The senior member shook his head. "Harrier is a fine sky knight, but he would have trouble dealing with these particular kind of people."
"The Ablsolute Zeros?" Another councilman suggested cautiously. "They are similar in their own way."
"True." The senior council thought for a second before shaking his head. "This may be a prolonged stay and the terra they we are talking about is a bit warm for Blizzarians. Not to mention, it's hard to say what effects that would have on them."
Grumbles came from several council members as yet another squadron was recommended and then declined. Most of the members had a specific team in mind at this point, but were hesitant to say their name. The councilman across from the senior member decided speak up once again. "What about the Storm Hawks?"
Silence fell as everyone turned to see how the senior member would react to this suggestion. Many on the council were already thinking of the Storm Hawks but weren't sure if it was appropriate to recommended the still recovering team.
Before the senior member could reply, the councilman across from him continued to speak. "Their carrier is mostly up and running and the squadron, I'm sure, is eager to get back out into the sky. They are also young and I'm sure they can adapt to this special situation."
Nods and mutterings of consent could be seen and heard around the table by the other members of the council. The senior member thought for a moment before nodding his head himself. "Fine, we shall send the Storm Hawks." He said in a less than enthusiastic voice. "I had hoped to allow them more time to get used to being back in service again before we sent them on another dangerous mission. But, as you said, they are most likely the best team for this particular job."
The councilman across from the senior member let a smile cross his face, enjoying his own small victory. "So," He began with a grin on his face. "I shall have a messenger inform them of their mission first thing in the morning."
The senior member raised his hand to draw everyone's attention back to him, silencing the group at the same time. "Just tell them where they are going and that they are to help the people there. Nothing else."
Several members let out grumbles at this suggestion, only the member across the table spoke up again. "You mean that we shouldn't tell them exactly who they are dealing with?"
The senior member nodded. "It's not really our place to say. For all we know, the Storm Hawks may not be accepted onto the terra. You know how picky their leader can be when it comes to letting people in. The only reason he let Stryker near the terra was because of Stryker threatening to expose their secrets." He grimaced when he thought about all the things he had turned a blind eye to when it came to Stryker. "We shall let them tell the Storm Hawks if they are willing to accept their help."
"Very well." The other councilman agreed. "First thing in the morning, we shall send the Storm Hawks to Terra Rium. Information shall be kept limited on everything but location and mission."
The other council members nodded their agreement and began to rise and leave the chamber. Most of them were eager to return to their homes and get some sleep. Only the senior member stayed behind in the chamber. His mind busy thinking over the situation at hand.
He let out a small sigh as he stood to leave. "I hope they can handle it." He said in a concerned voice as he left the chamber.
Morning was only a few hours away, and the Storm Hawks were unaware of the new dangers that awaited them, once again, on the horizon.
So here we go again into an unknown, and dangerous, situation. Where will things go from here? Well, while I'm typing that out, you can leave a review. I'll give a small hint on the secret though. I'm adapting a slightly famous story from years ago. You probably don't have a clue what it could be right now, but keep an eye out for the subtle hints. See you next chapter.