Night trickled in like black ink across the South Western skies of Atmos. Aerrow glanced casually over his shoulder at Radarr, who was yawning noisily. Aerrow stifled a yawn himself as he rounded the corner towards his room. As he passed Finn's quarters, he heard loud rock music from within and silently rolled his eyes. He finally slid into the comfort of his bedroom, Radarr scampering after him. Aerrow placed his armor onto the little shelf he kept just for that purpose before sliding into the sheets and mulling over the day's happenings.
Piper had intercepted a radio message from a remote Cyclonian outpost to the main command center about a "Package Delivary". Finn swore it was probably just donuts again, and that there was nothing to worry about, but Aerrow wasn't sure. He and Piper decided it could be a code for something worse. Of course, Stork could be relied on the insist it was mindworms and that the Cyclonians were going to infect all of Atmos before sucking out everyone's brains. This had frightened Junko so much he couldn't eat that night, something that rarely happened.
Now, they were heading off towards Cyclonia, with Stork doggedly persuing his mindworms theory. Aerrow had left Piper and Junko to mildly explain that the crew did not need to have a repellent bath. Now, with the stars slowly coming out, Aerrow closed his eyes and prepared for sleep.
He awoke a few hours later to a faint scratching sound. He assumed it was Radarr until he saw his co-pilot curled up and asleep at the foot of his bed. Aerrow grabbed his swords and stood, glancing around the dark room. He slid into the hallway, glancing back and forth. There! A shadow swept across the far wall. Aerrow thought about waking the others, but if it proved to be nothing, then what was the point? He walked down the corridor. Suddenly, a chilling sight met his green eyes.
Two Cyclonian Talons were creeping their way along the hallway. Why hadn't the alarm gone off? Aerrow knew why--Stork was doing some electronical repairs; the alarms were duds! He'd have to take care of it himself. Aerrow slunk after them, and once within striking distance, got ready to attack. He was about to lunge when something hard struck the back of his head. He wheeled around to see three more Talons, and the looks on their faces told him they weren't here to play.
Piper was tossing and turning, her head stinging from having collided with a wall whilst fumbling for her pajamas. She looked at the clock: 10:12. She knew she needed sleep, but her mind wouldn't turn off. She was still busy trying to put together her plan for how to find out what the "Package" was. Suddenly, there was a loud thump. It was coming from outside. Worried, she ran through the door, grabbing her crystal staff on the way. Finn, Junko, and Stork joined her.
"What was that?" Finn moaned groggily. Junko looked like the living dead. Stork was vigilent with his dooms day predictions as the four of them bounded down the hall. Piper suddenly looked around.
"Guys, where's Aerrow?" she asked. They all had an epiphany. Aerrow! They continued down the hall, rounding the corner towards Aerrow's room, when a familier sight greeted their eyes.
"Dark Ace!" Finn shrieked. Piper raised her staff. Stork was under apparent cardiac arrest. Dark Ace was standing in the middle of the hall, smirking at the Storm Hawks minus one. That minus one was clutched in Dark Ace's fist by the nape of his neck.
Aerrow had blacked out soon after seeing the Talons, and when he regained consciousness, he felt as if his neck was being ripped off. He was partially right. He looked up to see Dark Ace's snarling face. Aerrow struggled, but his body wouldn't let him move. A familier blue pulse shimmered off of Dark Ace's sword: Paralyzer Stone. He saw Piper and the others standing a few feet away, their faces twisted with shock.
"Just thought I'd 'Drop In' and grab a package," Dark Ace laughed. Piper let out a gasp. Dark Ace roared with laughter as she leapt forward. He struck her down. Aerrow shouted out as she crumpled. Junko and Finn charged him, but Dark Ace was faster, and with a swipe of his sword the two were sent flying. Stork swooned and fell. Radarr was nowhere to be found. Dark Ace dragged Aerrow along to the hanger bay, dumped him unceremoniously onto his skimmer, and took off. Aerrow watched helplessly as the Condor slowly faded from sight into the dark clouds that hung below. The Talons circled around him and Dark Ace, and Aerrow could do nothing but wonder where the night would take him.
Piper woke to Junko's frantic shaking.
"They've got Aerrow! They've got Aerrow!" Finn was shrieking. "Oh my Atmos, they've got Aerrow!"
"Finn, calm down," Piper reprimanded, though she was hardly in any position to tell him to calm down. She was shaking from head to toe as she stood. In her mind, she was thinking the exact same thing: The Cyclonians have Aerrow. Stork had woken and was sitting on the floor, his eyes twitching. Junko looked ready to explode in tears. Radarr was sitting next to Stork, sharing his expressions. Finn looked almost sane, compared to the others.
Piper headed towards the hanger bay, noticing the fresh tread marks. The moon had already set, and a faint rosy glow was rising in the east. She was still in disbelief as she inspected the skimmers. The tires were slit, the wings cut to pieces. She raced back to the engine room; half their crystal fuel was nowhere to be found. The Cyclonians had ensured themselves a lengthy head start. The first stop would have to be a supply depot.
A few minutes and five paper bags later, Stork was back at the helm. Junko had retreated to his room, and Finn was keeping watch. Piper stood next to Stork, her eyes in the clouds. She hoped Aerrow was alright.