Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with "Storm Hawks". Characters, places, and other aspects of the story (except for original characters, animals, locations, and some other aspects) that are referenced to do not belong to me.
A/N: Hey everyone. I know I promised music soon to compliment these chapters, but I am still working out which songs to utilize (sometimes it's hard to find music that fits with a scene). The Latin word Ostendo means to show, declare, and reveal. With that said, let's get into Finch's story arch!
1 month after the Battle for Terra Vicis, late morning, onboard the Thunderbird…
The sizzling of eggs, flapping of papers, and turning of dials echoed through the halls of the Thunderbird as its crew went about the start of their day.
Sparrow was preoccupied with her crystal studies in her room, Crow was steering the ship at the helm, and Warbler was doing some maintenance on the skimmers in the hangar bay.
Close by, Phoenix was relocating a crate in the hangar bay when his communicator suddenly buzzed.
"Phoenix here." Phoenix said into the device.
"Phoenix we have a special assignment for your crew and you." the sky counselor stated.
After receiving the brief mission statement, Phoenix hastily made his way towards the bridge.
Crow and Sparrow were already on the bridge.
"Warbler is on his way, but where's Finch?" Phoenix inquired.
"Oh, he's probably sleeping in." Crow answered promptly.
"I'll get him." Phoenix replied as he walked off to find his wingman.
In Finch's quarters…
The crew's reconnaissance marksman stayed in his slumber until three solid knocks came from his door.
"Finch, get up! We need you on the bridge for a briefing." came the muffled voice of the sky knight.
"Coming!" yelled Finch as he groggily sat up and rubbed his eyes.
The marksman practically crawled out of bed and opened his room's door.
"Morning Finch." Warbler stated as he nonchalantly walked towards the bridge.
"Morning." Finch replied as he made for the washroom to freshen up.
After visiting the washroom and grabbing a bowl of cereal, the messy-haired marksman made his way to the bridge where the rest of the crew was staring critically at a map on the table.
"What's all the fuss about?" Finch inquired as he swallowed a spoonful of cereal.
"We've got an assignment." Phoenix started.
"And it's a risky one at that." Crow added.
"We do risky stuff all the time. We shouldn't fear that. We're being hunted by Cyclonians continuously and we manage to get by." Finch commented.
"That's the thing. We're the ones doing the hunting this time around." Sparrow remarked.
"Right, we're just begging to get captured then." Finch commented sarcastically.
"This is the man we're after. The Sky Council strictly ordered us to capture him." Phoenix announced as he tossed a photo on the table.
The group studied the picture briefly.
"Really, we couldn't get a better picture of him." Finch exclaimed as he peered down at the picture of the hooded figure.
"This man is known as the Decider, one of Cyclonis' most trusted military advisors." Phoenix began.
"He is responsible for the planning and execution of raids on innocent terras to force them to join Cyclonia." Phoenix stated.
"So, he's top brass. I guess that puts a thick wall of security between him and us." Finch commented as he took another spoonful of his cereal.
"Not only that, but he is typically stationed on Cyclonia." Phoenix informed.
The group looked at him with wide eyes as he mentioned the ominous terra.
"Thankfully, we caught a lucky break." Phoenix continued which earned the relieved expressions of his crew.
"And this is where we come in?" Warbler asked.
"Yep. The Decider is hosting a special gala at one of the newly occupied terras." Phoenix stated as he pointed at a terra on the map.
"Terra Ostendo." Sparrow muttered.
"Our mission is to infiltrate the meeting, kidnap the Decider, and bring him back to Terra Atmosia for trial and imprisonment." Phoenix declared.
"Alright, so we're on kidnapping duty. Nice." Finch calmly commented.
"Sparrow and I will be posing as respected Cyclonian guests at the party. The profiles are generously forged courtesy of the small group of resistance members on Terra Ostendo." Phoenix started.
"Warbler and Finch, both of you will be posing as a Cyclonian guards in case things go side ways." Phoenix continued.
"And Crow, you're in charge of our escape plan, as well as coordinating with the local rebels." Phoenix finished confidently.
"The place will be heavily guarded. So, if your cover is blown, we'll go to plan B." Phoenix stated.
"And this plan B is?" Finch inquired.
"You guys will skip the formalities and make a mad dash for the Decider. I will bring the Thunderbird to you guys, and we'll be off terra in a matter of minutes." Crow informed.
"Sounds a bit rash." Warbler commented concernedly.
"Well do you have any better ideas?" Crow questioned.
"Fair enough." Warbler replied in defeat.
"Well then, we're headed for Terra Ostendo." Phoenix announced as he looked at his crew.
"Until we reach the terra, finish your preparations for the operation." Phoenix ordered.
Each member nodded or saluted before walking away from the briefing table except for the crew's marksman.
"What's wrong Finch?" Phoenix stated as he saw his friend intently squinting at the photo.
"That scar on the Decider's chin. It seems, familiar." Finch murmured in contemplation.
"How so?" Phoenix questioned.
"I remember seeing that scar somewhere when I was really young, but I can't put a name to it." Finch commented.
"I see. Interesting." Phoenix replied putting a finger to his chin in contemplation.
"I'm sure its nothing. Don't mind me." Finch stated as he dropped the photo on the table.
"Alright man. Just know that if anything comes up, we can talk about it." Phoenix reminded as he made his way towards a corridor.
"Thanks man. I'll be fine." Finch called after Phoenix as his friend left the room.
"Don't think about it Finch. Probably just your mind playing tricks on you again." Finch internally stated as he gave the photo one last glance before moving back towards his room.
Late afternoon, en route to Terra Ostendo, onboard the Thunderbird, hangar bay…
Finch had set up some makeshift targets in the hangar to get some shooting practice in.
Bolt after bolt hit its target with remarkable precision as Finch continued to decimate the makeshift targets.
"You're quite the shot with that thing." Warbler complimented as he hammered away at a damaged skimmer.
"Comes with practice. Marksmanship was my specialty back at the academy." Finch remarked as he reminisced about his academy days with Phoenix on Terra Quies.
"Hope you guys like lemonade." Sparrow announced as she entered the hangar with a tray carrying three cups.
"Thanks Sparrow." Warbler stated as he walked over to claim a cup of lemonade.
Sparrow looked over to Finch who had lined up another shot that now struck the target at center of mass.
"Yeah, thanks for the refreshments." Finch stated as he lowered his longbow.
"You're quite the weapon with that thing." Sparrow remarked as she picked up a glass from the table she had set the tray on.
"That's what I've been saying!" Warbler added as he took another sip from his cup.
"I keep telling you guys, it's just a matter of practice." Finch stated as he picked up the remaining cup.
"If I give any of you this thing for ten years, and you have an adequate instructor training you, you'll be just like me." Finch stated as he took a swig from his cup.
"Don't underrate yourself Finch. Not many people have the aim and the instincts that you have." Sparrow stated encouragingly.
"Yeah, like remember that time you sniped the console and released Sparrow from the capsule?" Warbler commented.
"You saved me that time. Any longer in that thing and I might have died." Sparrow added truthfully.
"Or that other time when you we held our ground during the ambush on Terra Vicis. You held off quite a few Cyclonians that day." Sparrow remarked.
"I guess so, but it was your special move that concluded the assault." Finch argued.
"Finch, even if I did that, you have to admit that you contributed greatly as well." Sparrow countered.
"The main thing is, like Sparrow said, don't underrate yourself." Warbler concluded as he finished his cup of lemonade.
"Thanks again guys. It feels good to know I'm appreciated around here." Finch said joyfully.
A slight static buzz was heard over the ship's intercom.
"Everyone, we're making our final approach to Terra Ostendo. Prepare for landing." Crow announced over the speakers.
"Show time." Warbler stated as he headed back to the skimmer he was working on previously.
Late afternoon, Terra Ostendo, Ostendo's ports…
The crew of the Thunderbird began unloading their belongings at a quieter end of the ports.
They had thrown on the same cloaks they had worn on Vicis to avoid suspicion from passing patrols or civilians.
Cyclonian patrols were scouting the entire terra, and security was heightened since the Decider was making an appearance later that evening.
As Finch was unloading a crate, he saw a man clad in makeshift armor, composed of pots and pans, sneaking over towards the crew.
Phoenix followed his friend's gaze and noticed the armor-clad man approaching the crew.
"Ostendo Rebels I presume?" Phoenix stated as he held a hand out to the individual.
"It's good to have you here sir." the man replied as he shook Phoenix's hand.
"We don't have much time before the gala begins." the man informed.
"Please, follow me." the man insisted as he headed for his parked skimmer.
"Alright guys, let's swoop." Phoenix ordered as Warbler, Sparrow, Crow, and Finch finished loading their supplies on their respective skimmers and mounted them promptly before speeding off toward the city.
Early evening, Ostendo Rebels hideout…
Compared to Vicis' army of resistance fighters, the Ostendo Rebels were vastly outnumbered by their opponents.
Phoenix noticed the lack of fighters as he entered the rebel haven.
"Your friends and you can change in these rooms." the rebel stated as he pointed at the small and plain rooms.
"Thanks." Phoenix replied simply as him, Sparrow, Warbler, and Finch entered the respective changing rooms.
"So, shall we continue with planning?" Crow inquired.
"That would be wonderful. Thanks again for your prompt response. We've heard stories about you guys, and your crew has to be one of the best in the Atmos." the rebel stated as he remembered their actions on terras Quies, Merbia, Rex, and Vicis.
"We're alright." the merb replied humbly.
A few minutes later…
Phoenix was the first to step out of the changing room.
His Cyclonian officer uniform fitted him perfectly. The dark green, maroon colour scheme reminded him of his academy days.
"Hey this actually fits!" Warbler remarked as he stepped out of his changing room dressed in Cyclonian combat fatigues.
"The goggles are a bit tight, but they'll do." Warbler added.
"I guess they knew your size." Finch joked as he came out dressed in an identical uniform.
"How do I look?" Sparrow asked as she stepped out of her changing room.
"If we weren't on a mission right now, I'd call this a date." Phoenix remarked as he scanned his girlfriend to which the crystal mage giggled.
"Great! All of you are changed out!" the rebel stated as Crow and he came back to check on the disguised operatives.
"Let's go over your alibis one more time." Crow began as he looked down at his clipboard.
"Finch, Warbler, you two are Cyclonian grunts reporting to gate four for patrol duty around the gala.
"Got it." Warbler replied.
"Understood." replied Finch.
"Sparrow, you're a Cyclonian noble woman under the name of Raven." Crow continued.
"Raven." Sparrow whispered to herself as to get use to the name.
"And Phoenix, you'll be getting reacquainted with your old name Vulture." Crow finished.
"I'd never thought that I'd be called that ever again." Phoenix remarked.
"Oh, and you're Raven's fiancé." Crow added with a slight chuckle.
Sparrow and Phoenix glanced at each other briefly before blushing immensely as they realized their undercover positions.
"Next thing you know, they'll have me impersonating the best man or something." Finch whispered.
"I heard that." Phoenix stated with an unamused glare.
"We could arrange that." Crow said with a mischievous smile to which Sparrow giggled.