Aerrow

As it turns out I was right, the moment we entered the colonl's air space we were locked on by two dozen cannons. Just as I was moitoning for everyone to stay calm our radio buzzed to life.

"Why if it isn't my old assocites the storm hawks. To what do I owe the pleasure of your arrival on this fine day?" Steading myself for what could possible a dreadful conversation I pick up the transmiter.

"We've come to make you a propasition."

"Oh and what do you have that I could want?"

"How about a chance to become even wealther then you already are? And if that doesn't peak your intrest then how about a full pardon on all your less then legitimate business." When I finished I looked to my squad for resurrance but they were all holding their breath as we waited for his answer. Stork kept gripping the helm as he looked at the cannons knowing full well he could avoid most of their blasts. Finally after what seemed like an eternitly we got a response.

"Your offer intreiges me, but an offer like this should be done in person. My men will escort you down so we can discuss this face to face." All at once we all release a breath we didn't even know we were holding as Stork moves us out of range and down to where a few men were waiting to escort us to the manor below. As he did so I started to think about who I should bring down with me. Starling of course and maybe Piper and Lark, Anyone else could be... unpleasent.

"Alright when we land I want Starling Piper and Lark with me and everyone else in the ship ready in case this goes south."

"But wait Aerrow shouldn't you bring some muscle like Junko or Snipe?" asks Starling

"We're trying to negotiate and Snipes more the smash first and ask questions later kind of guy. Besides the last time Junko was with the cononol they wound up in a eating contest and because of his massive appatite it only made matters worse." Not to mention we had to risk our lives just to get him some frozen youget during said eating contest.

"Plus it probably be better to have our heavy hitters in one place seeing as we're dealing with a guy that runs a criminal empire." As the ideas set in the Condor landed and after a moment of reading ourselves the girls and I left the saftey of our ship and followed the three men into the manor and to it's courtyard where the massive spidery figure known as the colonol was busy enjoying a cup of tea.

"Greetings storm hawks, now that you're here we can get down to business."

"Yes and I hpe by the end of this we can count on you and your associates to help." As usual smile never leaves his face as he takes a sip as he walks around us.

"You say you need my help but why would you a sky knight need my help when you have the council?" I looked to Starling hopeing she could help me but it was Lark who spoke first.

"Because I know for a fact that the new leader of Cyclonia is taking control of all your trade routes therby blocking all your busineess in this sector. And where as the council didn't care what you did unless it created problems for them the new leader is slowely but surely cutting you off from your money." When he smased his cup in his hand I reaced for my sword but when he smiled and lauged slightly as he moitioned for his men to stand down I pulled back.

"What the girl says is true, This master Striker has been converting my business associates to his side to gain more routes for his army. Luckily for me I still have the more valuable routes not to mention manpower to remain quite wealthly for some time." He spoke like nothing was wrong but i could see that in his eyes he was like a animal slowely being pushed into a trap. He knew eventually he'd have nothing and he was just waiting for us to show our hands before he jumps at our offer.

"Well if you join with us and help us with our plan then I promise you that I personally convince the other sky knights to allow you to move your busineess through their sectors allowing you acess to expand your empire." I could tell we had his attention but in order to get his full support we'd need to offer him something he could use now.

"But just to prove we can help eachoter I'll throw in a recently aquired murk raider ship as a sigening bonus."

"Aerrow are you mad!? we can't just hand over a ship like that to him!" Starling screams motiong toward the colonol who was grinning ear to ear.

"Your comrads don't approve of your offer."

"That just means it's a great offer for you. So do we have a deal?" I say extening my hand waiting only seconds before he extends his own sealing the deal.

"You'll have my and my associates help when the time comes... now about my new ship." I motioned to Lark who tossed him the keys to his new ship which he clutched like the grand prize it was.

Just as we were about to leave the colonel spoke up as he motioned for his men to leave us. As soon as the last of them were out of sight he grew very seriousness dropping his usual tone.

"You'll need more then me and my gang to win this war boy. Unlike me, my men haven't seen just how terrible this new Cyclonia really is, so tell me now... do you have any tricks up your sleeves? Or am I your only hope?" I looked to Lark who nodded back before stepping up to the colonel and after motioning for him to bend down whispered something into his ear. After a moment his face turned into his usual smile as he looked to the three of us.

"Oh now that is a mighty trick to hold. As a show of trust you can help yourselves to my crystal storage vault I'm sure a person with your knowledge can make some terrifying tools. Now if you'll excuse me I have a ship to customize and a empire to motivate." Taking that as our cue we left the manor and returned to the Condor but not before helping ourselves to his massive crystal collection which left our two crystal mages stunned. As Piper and Lark grabbed what we needed I had a chance to talk with Starling.

"Something on your mind?"

She took one glance to Lark and then back to me" I'm just a bit surprised that you and here are together. Honestly I've spent years dreaming of the day when I'd get this close to her, but now she's the key to our survival."

"I felt the same thing when I was on Cyclonia but then I saw past her exterior and to the teenage girl that just needed someone to care for her. Wars have a way of making us forget who we are."

"True enough but I still don't like it."

" Then you're really going to hate our next stop."

"Bogaton home of the Raptors."