The Circus
Summary: People are disappearing. And a father asks the Storm Hawks to find his missing daughter. Naturally they agree to help, and come across a mysterious circus
Disclaimer: All Publicly Recognizable Characters, Settings, Ideas, etc. are the Property of Nerd Corp. The Original Characters and Plot are the Property of the Author. The Author is in no way Associated with the Owners, Creators, or Producers of Nerd Corp. No Copyright Infringement is intended.
NOTE: Just a quick note my other Storm Hawks fanfic Enemy Territory is mentioned in passing in this fic you don't have to have read ET to understand what's going on. But like I said the events in it are mentioned. Somewhat.
Chapter Two: First Encounter
Saturday, 10:45 pm, terra Tempa,
Aerrow approached the tent at a slow run, he put his ear to the fabric and upon hearing nothing slipped under the flap, with Radarr following right behind him.
The Sky Knight was now under the bleaches, ears listening for the slightest sound.
"One more time Alto!" shouted Roc. Aerrow and Radarr made their way to the voice looking through an opening in the bleaches they could see Roc looking up and outside the pair's line of vision.
"Velum you ready?" he asked the air above him.
"All set boss," answered a female Aerrow couldn't see.
A few seconds later, a male fell from air and onto the net. "There a reason you're trying to make me do a triple?" he asked sitting up.
"It will improve the experience of our valued customers." Grunted Alto.
"We've been at this for over an hour boss," said a female climbing down the pole.
"Alright Velum we'll call it quits for tonight. You two should get some sleep. We'll pick it up again first thing in the morning."
Two moans followed this statement.
"Night kids," chuckled Roc with a wave as he headed out.
Aerrow gestured to Radarr to follow and the pair made their way back to the tent flaps. There was nothing in the main tent but open space, not even anyone to eavesdrop on now. He'd check out their camp try to find where they kept the animals and a few trailers. Hopefully he'd find something.
Half an hour later Aerrow sat crouched near a fire pit where a bunch of performers were gathered. So far all they had talked about was the day's performance and plans for future acts.
"What we really need is a contortionist," said a male.
"Not exactly a common commodity," sighed a female.
"Maybe a merb?" suggested another guy. "I hear they some of them are triple jointed. Can fit into all kinds of small places and contort themselves into all sorts of shapes."
"There was one in the crowd tonight."
"Yeah I saw him, doesn't look like he's looking for another job, sides merbs rarely leave their home terra. Bit of a wonder considering how paranoid they are and how prone to natural disasters the place is."
"So Alto how goes the triple somersault?" asked another voice as the arian himself approached the group.
"It doesn't."
The conversation turned back to existing acts and Aerrow decided to check out a few trailers.
As he approached a trailer he activated his radio. "Piper send someone back to the Condor to keep an eye on Stork."
"Why?"
"Heard some of the arians say they wished they could get a merb to work as a contortionist."
"Contortionist?" asked Finn.
"When you turned into that monster, after inhaling agro-spores Stork managed to hide in the cookie jar." said Aerrow.
"The cookie jar? Things almost just a little bigger than his head. How'd he manage that?"
"It's a merb thing," replied Stork. He was staying in touch with the group over the radios.
"Alright," said Piper, "Finn you mind?"
"Ah man you mean I can't stubble around in the dark woods and get my blood sucked by bugs? Guess I can make the sacrifice, if it's for Stork. See ya later suckers!"
Piper rolled her eyes, and Aerrow chuckled, he was now at one of the trailers, careful to check for any onlookers he and Radarr took a peek through the window.
"I don't see anyone, common."
The first thing Radarr did when the pair got to the door was begin to pick the lock, he had the door open within twenty seconds.
"Took you longer than usual."
Radarr growled as if to say the lock was a bit more complicated then what he usually had to deal with.
"Okay I need you to keep an eye out if someone tries to come in lure them away, so I can get out."
Radarr nodded his comprehension, and ducked under the trailer for his watch. Aerrow opened the door and stepped inside, activating his flashlight he saw a desk littered with papers and made his way over to them.
'List of expense and their food costs, pay for the performers, nothing about kids but that would be dumb Swainson said he already trespassed to look for evidence. Does this guy keep a journal?'
Aerrow spent the next half hour looking for a journal or anything relating to kidnapped children, just as he was considering going he heard growling on the radio. It was Radarr's signal that someone was coming.
He heard the steps creek and ducked under the bed, to hide until Radarr got them to go away. Aerrow recognized the reddish brown of Roc's boots. As soon as the arian entered there was a knock at the door. He sighed and opened the door when he saw no one he was about to close it when he noticed a light in the woods several meters away. Arching an eyebrow he oscillated in the doorway debating whether or not to go investigate. Finally he decided it might be worth the trouble and walked out. Aerrow waited a few seconds then made his escape.
He quickly made his way to the meeting point and shook his head when Piper asked him if he had found anything. Radarr soon rejoined the group and ran up Aerrow's back coming to a stop at the Sky Knight's shoulder. He chirped a greeting and read failure on his friends face, he tightened his grip on Aerrow's shoulder. The red-head smiled at the reassurance and stroked his friend's fur.
oo0oo
Saturday, 11:45 pm, terra Tempa,
"Next time, send Junko, or Piper, or Radarr," hissed Stork by way of greeting when the others returned. He removed his earplugs and pocketed them but not before shooting a glare at Finn, who hadn't failed to remind the merb that he was his bodyguard every five minutes.
"Sorry Stork," said Aerrow as he took a seat. "You've got a few surprises set up for anyone who tries to come on board?"
"Oh yeah, just waiting for you guys to get back so I can activate them."
"What exactly do you have?"
It wasn't until the rest of the squad got the list of booby traps and how to avoid them that they went to bed, the last thing anyone wanted was to accidently trigger one of Stork's... surprises.
Sunday, 01:00 pm terra Tempa
Aerrow gripped the bar and jumped, this was his home, in the air. The way most people feel in their homes behind locked doors and windows was how he felt in the air, safe invulnerable. The hoop was fast approaching, he let go and flew somersaulting as he went. He was through, he reached out small strong hands gripped his wrists and swung him onto the platform.
"Thanks Radarr," said Aerrow as the furry creature swung back and landed on his shoulder he looked down at the crowd and gaping mouths.
"Told you he could pull off a quadruple," gloated Finn.
"Wow," said Velum as Aerrow started climbing down the ladder. "That is impressive."
The Storm Hawks and a bunch of other kids were at circus school. The Arians invited everyone, adults included to come and show off their skills in the ring. Finn had taken up knife throwing and outdone the arian performer.
If the arians were kidnapping people and they were planning to kidnap Stork the merb at least would not be alone. While Aerrow, Radarr and Finn, made themselves bait Piper and Junko, kept an eye on any large transport leaving the terra. Stork stayed on the Condor surrounded by his traps.
The afternoon passed by quickly for the three performers and by 3:30 pm they were ready to head home. They thanked the arians for the lesson and headed back.
"Hey Stork anything happen on your end?" asked Aerrow as they entered the bridge.
"It's been quiet."
"Of course it's been quiet those guys would be dumb to try and attack the Storm Hawks," said Finn.
Aerrow shook his head.
oo0oo
Sunday, 04:00 pm terra Tempa
The Condor was silent. A rare event, and Stork the merb was enjoying the silence as he sat at the table reading his book. Then the door behind him opened.
"Oh man you should have seen me! Those arians will be coming for me anytime now," announced Finn with a wave of his hand.
Stork rolled his eyes and closed his book with a sigh. 'All good things…' he thought miserably to himself. Why had he signed on for this again? Oh right so he could complain.
"Piper and Junko back yet?" asked Aerrow looking around the bridge.
"No not yet."
Arrow sighed and decided to get something to eat, he had just finished, and was cleaning the dishes when Piper entered the kitchen.
"Hey Aerrow."
"Oh hey Piper," smiling in greeting he turned to face her while he placed his hands on the counter and leaned back. "You and Junko find anything?"
Piper shook her head "The good news is that only one or two large transports arrive or leave this terra on a daily basis it's not high traffic, so me and Junko shouldn't have any trouble, keeping track of them. How things go on your end?"
"Well I pulled off a quadruple and Finn managed to impress everyone with his knife throwing. I want you to keep an eye on Zix she's really flexible and did this great act with a hula hoop.
"Hula hoop?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm… she that girl I saw you talking to when Junko and I popped by for lunch?"
"Yeah, that's her."
"I'd feel better if we stuck together," said Piper.
"So would I, but me and the others can handle ourselves I need you and Junko to make sure the circus doesn't get anyone else."
"If they're responsible, we still don't have any proof," she reminded him, she believed the circus was responsible just as much as her Sky Knight did but she thought someone should play devil's advocate.
"Or any other suspects, my gut tells me it's the circus, I just wish I knew why. I mean if they are xenophobes wouldn't they just stay away?"
"Maybe they're not," suggested Piper with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Wonder why they haven't appeared in the Atmos in centuries, guess I'll have to ask them."
oo0oo
Sunday, 10:00 pm terra Tempa
"Tell me Aerrow," said Roc casually as he turned from his desk to look at the Sky Knight. "How do you know it's been centuries? It could just as easily be decades or even one century, last I checked all you knew was that you were unfamiliar with us, until a couple days ago. Did you do a little research?"
Aerrow smiled disarmingly from the doorway of the arian's trailer, "Stork, a friend of mine has an old book it mentions your species."
"How old? Because it would be more accurate to say it's been almost a millennium, rather then a few centuries. I'm surprised the Atmos has any information. Arians haven't been in these parts since before Cyclonia. What did the book say?"
"Not much. Why are you here?"
Roc chuckled softly as he gazed at the floor smiling he turned to Aerrow. "We were curious, our government sent out a few groups to learn about what was going on in the Atmos, see what species had risen and fallen since we cut ourselves off, how the culture had changed. I told you I made a study of the different creatures of the Atmos. I know it seems strange to use a circus for the task but," he shrugged. "I ran one, the only one, and I thought it would be a good way to travel and meet others, get them to come to us."
"And there are other groups," said Aerrow.
Roc nodded "Yes, small groups, my Circus is expected to return home eventually we can only visit so many terras. Now if I may get back to work?" he asked playfully gesturing to his desk.
oo0oo
Tuesday, 8:00 am terra Tempa
"I can't believe I have to miss out on a trip to Terra Byte," moaned Piper as finished packing. While the others followed the circus she and Junko would keep an eye on Zix.
"Why do you want to go to this terra anyway?" asked Finn from the doorway of her lab. Aerrow sat on a nearby chair.
"Because it's where M.I.T is! I've only dreamed of going to that school since I can remember!"
"M.I.T?"
"The University of Mechanics, Information and Technology. It's like the most famous school ever! They make all kinds of advancements in engineering, mechanics—"
"And let me guess crystals?" interrupted Finn.
"Yes, it's the most prestigious school in the Atmos, I'm too young to go, and I don't have traditional schooling so I'll probably never be able to, and you'd guys would be lost without me."
Finn rolled his eyes.
"Anyway I'd still like to check it out," she finished with a sigh.
"We'll go for a visit after the mission's over Piper," promised Aerrow. "We should get moving the circus will be done packing soon, and I don't want to lose them there are three terras east of here they could be going to, we don't know for sure if they are going to terra Byte."
Piper sighed and swung her bag over her shoulder, "I'm ready."
oo0oo
Tuesday, 03:00 pm terra Byte
Radarr pulled in the wings of Aerrow's skimmer as it approached the Condor's landing pad. Aerrow smiled as he struck the metal surface and rolled into the hangar followed by Finn.
Because the carrier was easy to spot he, Radarr and Finn had followed the circus on their skimmers and told Stork where to go. The Circus had landed on terra Byte. They could take a break while it set up, since Aerrow was confident they wouldn't try anything today, so far all the disappearances and occurred one to three days after the circus' departure.
"Okay guys," announced Aerrow once they were all in the bridge "the arians aren't going to try anything today take a break, I've got something I want to do," with that Aerrow turned and left the bridge he felt Radar climb up his back and perch on his shoulders, he smiled and turned to his friend.
"Sorry Radarr I want you to stay with Stork, I don't think the circus will try anything but just incase he wants to leave the ship I want you to stay with him okay?"
Radarr saluted and jumped off his friend and ran back into the bridge.
oo0oo
Tuesday, 03:30 pm terra Byte M.I.T
The first thing Aerrow noticed about M.I.T was the sheer size it was bigger then any building he'd even seen, course it was made up of several buildings, he looked at one with large stone columns, the huge wooden doors were situated up a flight of stone stairs.
"Well that looks important guess I'll start there." He said to himself as he started walking towards it.
Turns out it was the library. Aerrow had seen libraries before but this one was huge bigger than the one on terra Atmosia, there were rows and rows of desks, and books.
'Maybe I should ask someone…' "Excuse me," he asked a passing student who was carrying a few books "where do I go to ask about getting into this school?"
The student looked Aerrow up and down then shrugged "The administration building, go back out turn right you'll come to the residence building turn right again, can't miss it."
"Thanks."
oo0oo
"So," said the dark, sharp nosed man sitting at his desk across from Aerrow "You want to attend M.I.T."
"No, my friend does but she doesn't have traditional schooling."
"Why is that?"
"Cyclonia, we grew up in an orphanage but had to leave, we lived together with a couple other friends on a small terra, so she's self taught."
"Interesting," said the man peering at Aerrow over his glasses. Teenagers of both sexes living together, didn't sit well with the board of administrators… but there was something about the boy's bearing and manner that made him seem more like an adult then the average hormonal teenager. "Well, it is possible to gain entrance based on academic ability alone, she would have to write a paper, about a subject of her choice, and turn it in for review. If the board approves she can gain admittance."
"How old do you have to be?"
"There is no age limit although most of our students are over eighteen when they enter it's rare for someone younger to gain entrance you'd have to be really smart, so long as your friend has the smarts she can get in no matter her age or academic background."
"Thank you."
oo0oo
Aerrow decided to head back to the library, see if he could find out more information about the arians. He had just turned the corner into the historical section when he bumped into someone.
"Excuse me." He looked up to see Roc, the blue skinned being smiled.
"If I didn't know any better I'd think you were following me."
Aerrow glanced at the books in the arian's hands, he recognized one of them it was about recent history he had studied it himself back at the orphanage, it covered the rise and fall of the previous Storm Hawks.
"Trying to catch up on current events?" asked the Sky Knight.
"Yes, my government will be very interested, and I'm sure I'll learn a thing or two from this tome, like what would drive a fourteen year old to take and manage to pass the trials and start up a new team. Most interesting that the Storm Hawks are paying such close attention to my humble circus. Well I'll see you around Sky Knight." Smiling Roc walked passed with a wave of one of his numerous arms.
oo0oo
Tuesday, 7:00 pm terra Tempa
Aerrow sighed as the door to the kitchen slide open. He had spent hours in the library combing over books but found nothing, Roc had been carrying about five books and Aerrow had only recognized one he wondered if maybe the arian had removed the others not out of curiosity but because they had held information about his race he didn't want anyone else knowing.
He was hungry and looking forward to a good meal, it was Finn's turn to cook and although the sharpshooter wasn't the best by any stretch of the imagination he was worlds better then Junko. And it was a pleasant smell that greeted his nostrils upon entrance.
"Dinner will be ready in ten Aerrow," said Finn as he removed a dish from the oven.
"Thanks Finn, I guess I'll check in with Piper," now that he had confirmed the food would be edible, he walked back out of the room, and towards the bridge.
"Aerrow to Piper, come in Piper."
"Hey Aerrow, what's up?"
"Nothing on our end but I did go to M.I.T. I asked them if you could get in without traditional schooling. They said all you had to do was write a paper to be submitted for approval if they liked it you could get in no matter how old you are."
"…Piper?" asked Aerrow after a few moments of silence.
"Did you ask them if there's any way I can take classes from a distance?"
Aerrow smiled "No."
"Well maybe you should do that."
"I will, anything interesting happen on your end?"
"Nothing. Tempa's Sky Knight hasn't returned from their shift guarding the dragons. Have you spoken to terra Byte's Sky Knight yet?"
"Not yet, I'll see him after diner."
oo0oo
Tuesday, 08:00 pm terra Byte
Aerrow knocked on the door of terra Byte's Wind Jackels squadron's home, it was a large building that looked like it could easily house about ten people. A women opened the door she was tall about 5'9'' with long blond hair and tan skin.
"Excuse me I'm looking for the Sky Knight of terra Byte," said Aerrow.
"I am she, Lory, of the Wind Jackels."
"My name's Aerrow, of the Storm Hawks. This is my co-pilot and mission specialist Radarr," he gestured with his thumb to the furry creature perched on his shoulders. Radarr bowed his head in greeting. "Some kids have gone missing on other terras and I think the kidnappers are going to strike here next. Can I come in?"
Lory stood aside and gestured Aerrow in.
oo0oo
Saturday, 07:30 pm terra Byte, Condor
"So no one's gone missing so far Piper?" asked Aerrow over the radio. He was currently standing in the bridge with Stork at the helm.
"No one, Zix is getting kinda annoyed with me and Junko following her."
"She wasn't supposed to notice you."
"Junko isn't the stealthiest guy around."
"Well the Arians are packing and getting ready to head out there's nothing east of terra Byte, nothing charted at anyrate."
"Think they might be heading home?"
"Yeah, and I think it's where the other kids might be, the Wind Jackels went over the circus with a fine tooth comb and didn't find anything. Keep an eye on Zix if they are going to try anything it'll be tonight."
oo0oo
Sunday, 03:30 pm Sky's near a few hours from the edge of the known Atmos,
Aerrow yawned from atop his skimmer, they had been following the circus for a several hours now. Piper had reported that all was well that morning and so far everything was calm on Aerrow's end.
Naturally that had to change, and Storm Hawk luck insured that changed very quickly. The sky suddenly started to darken and clouds rolled in and decreased visibility. Aerrow jerked himself awake, these clouds had come in out of nowhere it had been clear sky's moments ago. He turned on his radio.
"Everyone be careful, I don't like these clouds, Stork can you still see us on scanners?"
"Yeah you're still there, so's the circus on long range," he confirmed tapping a screen.
"I can't see the circus anymore," said Aerrow. "Let's regroup."
oo0oo
Aerrow stared out the windows of the Condor searching for any visible signs of his query. "The good news about these clouds is that they can't see us," said Aerrow more to himself then to the rest.
"Um how do we know they can't pick us up on scanners?" asked Finn.
"We don't, but the Condor has better long range scanners than any other ship in the Atmos. We don't know if they have something more advance but we're just going to have to hope they don't."
Radarr started to sqwake and point. "What is it Radarr?" asked Aerrow turning in the direction his co-pilot was pointing. He could see something emerging from the fog, it was a ride, a skimmer, one of the newer models. Roc was on it. So was Piper.
Her eyes were closed. Roc was holding her upright with his two right arms, his lower right was been used to steer and his upper right held a blade at her throat.
He brought his ride to a stop a few feet from the balcony, Aerrow could see a small stream of red trickle down Piper's throat.
Aerrow didn't know how long the two stood there staring each other down. A whole conversation was been held with their eyes. Aerrow knew what Roc wanted, and it didn't take him long to realize there was only one way to get her away unharmed, still he tried to stall, tried to think. Finn could take a kill shot at Roc's head, but his crossbow was on the table and the window was up, by the time the two obstacles were dealt with Roc would have slit the crystal mage's throat. Roc's eyes told him as much when they saw the plan form in the Sky Knight's mind.
The trickle got bigger as the blade moved slightly.
Aerrow turned on the speakers. "We surrender."