All my chapters seem ridiculously/pathetically short (but that could just be the incredibly low self-esteem).

My dad just showed my Airwolf with Jan Micheal Vincent, anyone seem it? The helicopter is amazing, wish it was real...I'd settle for the RC one though.

She lay still on the cot in the dark room, staring into the infinite blackness behind her eyelids. She heard and did not hear the slow breathing next to her, the creaks of the ship settling. She didn't think, didn't exist independently.

'Stand up' said the dark voice in the void of her mind. She obeyed, swinging her legs silently around and leaning forward to slip off the cot.

'Reach out and take the crystal from the pouch we gave you…now aim it at the girl…activate it.'

*

Aerrow closed his eyes, letting the cold wind blow though his hair and cool his face. He dangled his legs over the side of the Condor's flight deck, his head in his hands.

"You think we'll ever get this sorted out Radarr?" he asked the furry copilot sitting next to him.

Radarr whined in indecision, unsure of whether the Council would even be willing to listen. Aerrow scratched his friend behind the ear, waiting until the instinctive tense in Radarr's body left and he gave in, curling up beside him. They both turned their attentions back on their own thoughts, their gazes once more on the stars.

*

The girl struggled, glaring angrily yet in confusion as the blank Sky Knight stood over her. She tired to shout but the crystal energy serving as a gag muffled the sound to a weak groan. Then Starling abruptly turned and left the room, her gait awkward and slightly unsteady.

She walked silently to the next room down the hall and stopped in front of the door.

'No' whispered the voice, 'leave the Wallop for last.'

Starling halted again, this time in front of Finn's door. She walked in, the noise of the door not so much as making the sharpshooter twitch. As commanded she once more lifted the red crystal and fired at the sleeping teen. He jolted awake as the sizzling energy cuffed his wrists and ankles and gagged his mouth. He shook his head to clear it and then tired to get up, only to topple painfully into the guitar collection at the foot of his bed.

*

"Did you hear something?" Aerrow asked, whipping his head up and glancing around. Then he realized why Radarr hadn't; he was asleep. Aerrow stood, scooped his furry friend into his arms and headed for the doors, nudging Radarr awake.

*

Starling stood outside the next to last door, the Merb's room. Stepped forward but the door didn't open. She didn't react but the voice in her head did.

'Curse it! Stupid, paranoid Merb! Touch your hand to the door and feel for something inconsistent like a knob or keyhole.'

The Sky Knight obeyed and as soon as her hand made contact with the door a shrill alarm filled the ship; the lights flickered.

*

"That's Stork's alarm!" Aerrow shouted, speeding to a run, Radarr right beside him.

They rounded a corner and faced Starling staring blankly at a wall, her hand on Stork's door.

"Starling?!?"

She turned and fired the red crystal at him, its energy shot out, surrounding and immobilizing him. Aerrow wobbled for a second then crashed to the floor almost landing on Radarr. Radarr growled and leapt at Starling, she stepped back and threw him off into the wall. She aimed the crystal at him but before she could move Junko appeared and pinned her arms behind her back, looking down at her in confusion. He grabbed the crystal out of her hand and released Aerrow. He got up, rubbing his jaw and left Junko for the moment to check on the others. He returned with Piper and Finn as Stork edged out of his room, teeth chattering.

"You're sure it's regular Hypnosis Piper? It's not…the other kind?"

Piper shook her head, "First of all, it would have taken days or weeks to change her and then she would have changed physically as well. Also, her eyes wouldn't be so glazed either and her movements were all awkward, programmed but fought against. If you don't believe me here," she handed him the Blocker crystal.

"I never said I didn't believe you," Aerrow aimed the crystal at Starling and after a quick pulse of energy her eyes focused on him.

She shook her head and looked around, "What's going on?"

"I don't know, but I really think there's something we need to talk about," Piper said.

"What?"

"Making a plan; this is all getting a bit ridiculous."

* * * *