Thanks for all the reviews, guys! I feel so loved! 3

We meet another OC in this one. I mentioned her before; I'll give you a hint: Chapter 4.

Enjoy!

Mika

The Talons roughly tossed Aerrow and Piper into a prison cell. Piper picked herself up off the damp floor and went over to Aerrow. She kneeled beside him and made him as comfortable as possible, pillowing his head on her shoulder.

"I can't believe you came without backup." Aerrow muttered, not bothering to open his eyes. Piper sighed and looked away. Aerrow gave a few dry coughs and Piper gently smoothed his hair out of his face. There was a pale grey tinge in his skin, and he was shivering slightly. The skin on his wrists and ankles had been rubbed red and raw from the shackles. Piper pulled him a little closer to her.

"So what's your plan this time?" Aerrow croaked, opening his eyes. Piper looked down at him.

"I don't know…" Piper replied softly. She thought for a moment, and then perked up a little as she thought of something. Reaching into a hidden pocket, Piper pressed a small button in the fabric of her stealth suit. There was a small beep, and then silence.

"What did that do?" Aerrow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It sends a distress signal to the Condor." Piper replied, shifting her position slightly, "I had it installed when I got this suit tailored." Feeling her friend's forehead she asked, "What about you? Are you feeling okay?" Aerrow rolled his shoulders a bit, closing his eyes again.

"Asides from the daily torture sessions, the gash in my side and back, the aching muscles, pounding headache, fever, exhaustion, and other effects caused by lack of food, water, or sleep? I'm doin' great!" Aerrow replied with a small smile. Piper figured he was trying to cheer her up with a little Stork-esque humor, but it didn't help much. She groaned sympathetically. There was a small rustle from the darkest corner of the cell, and Piper looked over.

"Who's there?" Piper called, trying to keep her voice from quavering. There was silence for a moment, and then a small girl no older than seven stepped towards them cautiously. Her long, wavy blond hair fell lankly down her back, and her bright violet eyes looked haunted. Aerrow stared at the child for a moment before realizing who she looked like.

"You're Mika, aren't you?" He asked softly. The little girl nodded and shivered. Piper felt her eyes sting with tears, but she didn't let them fall. She couldn't believe that Cyclonis had sunk so low as to imprison innocent children. Piper held her hand out to the young girl and she huddled over. Piper wrapped her free arm around Mika's shoulders to help keep her warm, while using the other one to hold Aerrow off the cell floor.

"We're going to get you out of here." Piper promised the child. She felt her motherly instinct kicking in, and gently stroked Mika's hair. The little girl snorted derisively.

"You guys are locked in here as much as I am," Mika replied, looking at Piper with a raised eyebrow, "And he doesn't look strong enough to help you fight your way out." Aerrow couldn't help grinning; nothing got by this girl easily. Piper gave a sheepish chuckle.

Aerrow gave a few dry hacking coughs and Piper frowned, feeling his forehead with the back of her hand. He was burning up, and sweat beaded on his forehead. Piper gently brushed it away. Mika looked concerned; spending her days as a prisoner of Cyclonia had caused her to mature quickly. She thought for a moment before scurrying back to her dark corner and bringing back a cup filled with water. She handed it to Piper, who took it gratefully.

"I've been saving it," Mika explained, "In case I got really thirsty. But I think you guys need it more. They sometimes forget to bring food or water." Mika jerked her head towards the cell door to indicate the guards outside. Piper held the cup to Aerrow's lips and took a few swallows. His coughing subsided with the drink, and he shifted into a more comfortable position. Stripping off both of her long gloves, Piper dipped them in the remaining water. She handed one to Mika who took charge of cleaning Aerrow's wounds. Piper started trying to cool Aerrow's fever. He gave a long strained sigh of relief, and fell into a fitful sleep.

The other Storm Hawks had gotten Piper's distress signal, and were now calling to other squadrons for help. Weaverbird had deteriorated even further; her scales were more grey than blue, and the light in her crystal pulsed faintly. The other Storm Hawks were afraid she wouldn't last much longer.

"Don't worry about me," The Dragoness had said, "Worry about Aerrow. He's back within my range, and isn't doing too well." That just made Finn worry about his friends even more.

Finn was sitting at the table with the radio beside him, his head resting on his arms. He was about to fall asleep when a familiar voice crackled over the airwaves. Finn's head shot up. He grabbed the mouthpiece and pressed the button.

"Starling?!" Finn said incredulously. The radio crackled for a moment and the Interceptor's voice issued from the speaker.

"I got your message. What happened?" Finn felt a tingle of joy in his fingers; Starling would know what to do.

"Piper and Aerrow have been kidnapped," Finn replied, "We need help to get 'em back. Can you meet us somewhere?" There was silence for a moment, then Starling replied.

"There's a small uncharted terra not far from your current position," Starling replied, "Meet me there."

Piper was sitting with Aerrow propped up against her shoulder. He was asleep and his condition had not improved. Mika and Piper both pitched in some of their daily water rations to help care for Aerrow's wounds and fever, but it still didn't seem to be enough. He shivered and twitched in his sleep, muttering under his breath. Last time, Weaverbird had diagnosed Aerrow with fever dreams.

Piper wished her team's Healer was there. No matter what Piper and Mika did for him, nothing seemed to help. Piper cradled Aerrow in her arms, her cheek resting against Aerrow's, and Mika would often hum a haunting tune to break the long silences.

"My mom used to sing it to me when I was afraid," Mika explained, "But I don't know all the words." Piper had taken a liking to the lullaby. Mika was humming it and Piper was humming along when the cell door opened and two Talons strode in. Aerrow's eyes flew open, and he stared around the room, seemingly disoriented. Piper held him closer, as if to protect him. The Cyclonians reached down and dragged Aerrow away from the navigator.

"Don't worry, Piper," Aerrow called, his voice raspy, "I'll be okay!"

He hoped it wasn't a lie.

Agh! Cliffie! I'm gonna get a huge chorus of 'Poor Aerrow's from this chappie. Actually, I'm so evil to him, I have to say it myself. Poor Aerrow! And Poor Weaverbird while I'm at it. '

Stay tuned for chappie 7!