Author's Note: I do not own Storm Hawks, etc.
Chapter Twelve – How could he?
The stench of decay hasn't left this place. He looked at the burnt and torn tapestries that adorned the wall, bearing the symbol of the fallen Cyclonian Empire. He continued walking down the metal corridors remembering the path he walked down years ago. Then he saw the chamber he wanted to find.
Keeping his hood up, the coated man got on his knees and begun to dig through the metal debris, hoping the one thing he needed was still here.
He didn't count the hours it took him to reach the innermost parts of the chamber, but he grabbed the object he sought. Ripping the metal insignia from the back of Junko's uniform, he threw up taking in the smell.
"Junko…I'm sorry."
Steela walked through the large doors. It was a nearly empty marble room, the only possessions were a small rug that laid beneath a large mahogany desk and a comfortable swivel chair. On top of the desk were a desk mat scribbled with important dates, several quills and bottles of ink, a few crystals, and the globe of the Atmos.
A black-haired man stood sorting some papers on a small table behind his desk. She walked in looking at the beautiful white marble gleaming from the sunlight coming through the windows. This was truly Terra Celsus, a place of ancient beauty. She almost walked into the desk, but stopped herself.
"Um…excuse me, Mr. Gershwin?"
"Yes…" He said unenthusiastically.
"I am here for the 5 o'clock appointment."
"Oh yes, the last minute appointment that Augustus shoved down my throat the moment I get a chance to relax."
"I'm sorry, but you've been researching ambrosia crystals and I have some questions."
"Listen and listen well, I am tired of students coming to me for their essays, so if you want research then consult the Grand Library."
"But I…"
He turned to face her, "I'm sorry…but…" Then he looked at her, a small smile appeared for a second before he rubbed his eyes, "I'm truly sorry, I've had some serious jetlag from being onboard ship for so long and the excavation, getting settled back in, it is truly all a pain. Come, take a seat, and tell me what this is all about."
She couldn't believe this person was Herald Gershwin, he looked just over his mid-twenties. But she digressed and explained the whole story involving Tarek. Afterward Herald stroked his small goatee and stood up pacing around for a little while. As a few minutes passed, Steela raised her hand.
"Um, sorry to interrupt, sir, but I was wondering if there was anything you could do to help me."
"Ambrosia crystals are still new to me. It has only been a few weeks since I came back and I still haven't uncovered their secrets. Would you like a drink…some wine, perhaps?"
"Wait, isn't that a little more of a grown up drink?"
"Not too much, here…" he poured a small amount into a glass behind him, she tried to see what he was doing, but couldn't get a good look. He swerved around and had two glasses in his hand. One was filled near the rim and the other had a sip of wine. He handed her the nearly empty glass and looked at a particular case that laid near the edge of the desk in front of her.
"What are those, Mr. Gershwin?"
"Oh these…" He turned the box around and opened the case, "…This is my crystal sample case. There is a Blazer, a Frost, a Wind, a Floater, and a Furnace. The five basic…"
Steela interrupted, "Crystals that are specified in Reumann's first textbook…"
"Crystals 101: The basic types and measurement algorithms." They both shouted in unison.
Herald smiled as he wiped a tear from his eye, "Oh, you truly are your mother's daughter."
"You knew my mother, too?"
"Well, I was there, but I didn't really know her. I was twelve years old and I was working part-time as Augustus's assistant or how everyone called me, 'Augustus's little courier'. Your mother was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
He eyed Steela noticing she drank in her sip of wine, "It was her student interview, Augustus wanted two glasses and a bottle of ginger ale. Like a good boy, I got his stuff immediately and then I looked onto this angel."
She rolled her eyes and thought, "Great, another person who was fascinated her."
"I knew that I couldn't have her though because she wasn't going to stay."
"I am sorry to interrupt, Mr. Gershwin, but there is anything you can do to help me?" She restated her question.
"No."
She smiled, "Then I must be going, thank you for the wine." She stood up and felt her legs wobble. She buckled back into the chair.
"What is happening?"
"Simple, Piper. I put a sedative into your drink." His smile turned dark.
"Why? Wait…what do you call me?"
"Piper…that is your name."
"No, I am Steela. What is wrong with you?"
He hugged her, "Piper, at last, we can be together."
She began to panic, her legs were still shaky and he wasn't going to let go. His hands started going down her sides, which made her panic even more.
She screamed in her mind, "I've got to get out of here now!"
She looked frantically about the room searching for anything that could help. The hands that were getting closer to her hips weren't helping either, then he lowered himself to nibble on her neck and she saw her salvation.
The open case of crystals were shining toward her. She stretched her hand under his shoulder to get hold of the frost crystal. It was the only one that could help.
"Come on…come on." She whispered to herself.
Her hand was nearly there and so was his. With one final thrust, she clenched the frost crystal. Smashing it against his back, it shattered into dozens of pieces as his back froze up…literally. The instant cold released his grip and he shook his head as if he was undergoing brain freeze. He collapsed on the floor, giving her the chance she needed.
Standing up, her legs felt like buckling. She wasn't going to go anywhere unless she was going to do something and fast. Looking at the furnace crystal, she grabbed it and brought it close to her stomach. The heat it radiated got her blood flowing and strength returned to her. She stood up and hoisted her backpack on her shoulders.
She pushed the furnace crystal closer to herself as her legs buckled once again. This wasn't going to last long. In only a matter of minutes, she was going to be as helpless as a rag doll. She needed a place to hide.
Running out of the room as fast as she could, she looked for this hiding place.
That night, she was underneath an old bridge hanging off the edge of the terra. It seems this was part of a project to expand the Terra that failed. She sat against the cold stone, this and the wind were the only sensations she felt. Like she predicted, her body went completely numb, though it was a few more minutes later than she guessed.
Thinking about everything that has happened, she cried, "How could he do that to me? Uncle Stork, where are you? I could really use you right now. I am scared and all alone, I don't know what I am doing here. Please help me."
A spotlight drifted by, she smiled, "Uncle Stork…you came for me."
A skimmer landed on a platform that supported the bridge. She couldn't tell who it was, but he or she was walking closer. When the person stood over her, she heard the voice.
The man spoke, "Are you Steela?"
"Yes…?" Unsure of what was going on.
"The secretary called it in. My name is officer Thomas Verlos and you are under arrest for assault and violent crystal use against Herald Gershwin. Please come with me."
Hahaha! I am evil. Next chapter, you can guess what happens to Steela and also…smiles.
