Darkening Skies: The Shadow-hand of Cyclonis

The Storm Hawks world concept is copyright to Nerd Corps and Asaph Fipke.

Aerrow, Stork, Piper, Starling, Junko, Finn, Radarr and other Sky Knights are the intellectual property of Asaph Fipke and copyright to Nerd Corps.

Master Cyclonis, Dark Ace, Ravess, Snipe and the Talons are the intellectual property of Asaph Fipke and copyright to Nerd Corps.

Repton and the Raptors are the intellectual property of Asaph Fipke and copyright to Nerd Corps.

Ageless Specter, Lord Xivor and The Ancients are the intellectual property of AgelessSpecter and used with permission.

Marrshal, Psychos and Lord Astrel are my intellectual property; please credit them as such if for some reason you use them.

Chapter 1

Three years after the events of Age of Heroes…

Master Cyclonis stood rigidly in front of her crystal experimentation machine, trying to perfect a new type of crystal she had thought up a few days back. It was frustrating; despite her best efforts she was still unable to balance the energies of the crystal into a stable matrix that would still allow the crystal to function as she wanted. If she could only perfect the crystal, it would guarantee the domination of Cyclonia for years to come.

"Speak."

"I'm sorry to disturb you my lady, but I have a report on the recent activities of the crystal freighters of Free Atmos." A cloaked figure said as it emerged from the shadows around the edge of the room behind her. After the figure had spoken, it presented a thin stack of papers to Master Cyclonis, although not in a manner that suggested it expected her to take them.

"Ah, Marrshal, you are early with your report… anything interesting to report?" Master Cyclonis said coolly as she continued with her work. After the failure of her Talons to keep the Sky Knights in line, she had promoted Marrshal to the position of Commander, an equal to Ravess, Snipe and the Dark Ace in terms of rank. In terms of military and fighting skill however, Marrshal was likely not the equal of his peers; his skills lying more in the arenas of espionage and other covert operations. For that reason alone she had not told the other Talon Commanders of their fourth member, the publicity that would result could compromise the effectiveness of Marrshal's skills. Especially with his current project of finding the main mines the Free Atmosians used to supply their vehicles and weapons with crystals.

"I have tracked the major freighter shipments back to one area in particular and I believe I have found the one major crystal mine on Atmos we do not control and that is the major lifeline of Free Atmos. The only problem remaining is finding the actual mine itself… the entire terra appears to be enveloped in a cloud bank." Marrshal said after glancing through his report, "I estimate it will probably take a few weeks for me to determine anything more, since maps and clocks are evidently required to safely navigate to the terra… until that report I will be out of contact, with your permission that is."

"You have proven yourself capable of accomplishing the goals you set for yourself in the time allotted Marrshal. Proceed with what you have in mind, but remember, I am not tolerant of failure."

"I shall report back with far better news next time, however, I will need some cover to explain the missing watches and maps until then. No reason to possibly alert the Atmosians about a possible security breach until we arrive at their mine." Marrshal said as he sank back into the shadows, leaving Master Cyclonis alone with her experiments. A sinister grin crept its way across her face, while Marrshal would deliver the location of the mine to her regardless, his plan also meant that Ravess and Snipe could do a little plundering until the final blow came. That would distract those resistors from the greater threat to their well-being while boosting Cyclonian crystal supplies, how perfect. Calling in a Talon, she sent him to retrieve a radio so she could call Ravess and Snipe.

A few hours later…

"Master Cyclonis, you called for us?" Ravess said as both she and Snipe bowed before the leader of the Cyclonian Empire. Off to one side, Dark Ace watched the siblings with a small measure of disdain; it was obvious that Master Cyclonis had called them, otherwise Ravess and Snipe would not be here right now.

"Yes… the main routes that supply the Atmosians with crystals have been discovered, I want you and Snipe to set up a small base relatively close to this trade route here and stifle the flow of crystals to Free Atmos. Make sure to take enough weather altering crystals to create a storm to cover up the loss of the freighters you raid. I want no mistakes on operation." Master Cyclonis said with a tone of menace underscoring her words, "It is also important that you secure any navigation equipment the freighter captains might have. But this is not as important as securing the crystals the freighters transport."

"We understand Master Cyclonis, we shall not fail you." Ravess said, in a rather cowed tone.

"Excellent, then go now and see that you live up to your words." Master Cyclonis said dismissively as the two left, turning to Dark Ace as they exited the room, "Now Dark Ace, we have a matter of the utmost secrecy to discuss."

"Utmost secrecy, how interesting…" Dark Ace said with some curiosity as he stood up from his previous slouch against the wall.

"For some time now, there has been a fourth Talon commander by the name of Marrshal, he has served as our spymaster and runs many covert operations throughout the Atmos. It is thanks to him that we found out where the Atmosians are shipping their crystals through and he is searching for the original source of the crystals we are capturing. Currently he is out on assignment, but when he returns, I want the two of you to meet… he could prove most helpful in tracking down the Storm Hawks for you and setting up some nasty little surprises to help guarantee their defeat. No offense to your skills intended."

"None taken, Master Cyclonis, I look forward to meeting this spymaster." Dark Ace said, more intrigued than offended about how this Marrshal could help. Privately, he considered how skilled this Marrshal must be to earn such praise from Master Cyclonis; certainly he must be more competent than Ravess or Snipe… Well, Snipe at least; Ravess was fairly competent, but she had been around long enough to have a few failures under her belt whereas this spymaster might not have been around that long. Time would tell in the end.

"In the meantime, I have heard rumors of an incredibly skilled crystal master wandering around Free Atmos. Marrshal did some initial research and managed to find a couple locations where this man is likely to show up next. I would like you to disguise yourself and find him. When you do, I want him brought to me… his skill in crystal alchemy might even be a match for my own."

"By your command Master Cyclonis."