Chapter 25: Atmosia

Piper's P.o.V.

"Are you sure you don't-"

"For the third time, Piper, no."

I started wringing my hands again as we walked down the hall.

We were all there, headed towards the exit ramp. Aerrow was at the front, Radarr perched on his shoulder. Finn and Junko were behind him, bickering over something I couldn't quite make out (I heard the words "scrap" and "spare parts" said a few times.) Stork shuffled along at the back of the group, giving a wide berth to the irate Starling beside him, who was glaring daggers at the Queen beside me.

The unarmed, uncloaked Queen, who had shot down my every suggestion to use the readily available crystal in my pocket.

"This is a bad idea." I said for the millionth time.

Cy sighed. "Piper, we went over this…"

"I know, but… are you sure…?"

"Yes, I am." She paused. "What would you rather me do? March all the way to the Council in disguise, and then reveal myself?"

"Well… yeah, kinda." I answer.

She sighs again. "Piper, if I did that, it would be too much of a shock. They'll act irrationally, and whatever guards they have will likely attack before I can say my piece."

Aerrow looked back, perplexed. "Have you met them before or something?"

Cy shook her head. "Not personally, no. But I know their type."

"What, Atmosian?" Starling piped up, her voice drenched in accusation.

"Politicians." Cy answered smoothly. "I grew up around such people, listening and watching my Grandmother's meetings. In recent years, I've had to deal with them myself. Many different people, sometimes from many different Terras, but they all share similar… mannerisms."

"Such as?" Aerrow asked.

"Such as… some people believe a fifteen-year-old incapable of properly running a Terra, and were quite… vocal about it."

My eyes widened a bit, and a quick glance around showed that I wasn't the only one. Being thought inept due to your age? We could relate.

I frowned, still confused. "But what exactly does that have to do with you being uncloaked."

She shot me a look that said 'really?' "It's simple. When I step out of this ship as is, surrounded by Skyknights, word will get back to the Council. They will know that I am coming with enough time to know that it, but not enough time to do anything reactionary."

I shook my head. "That seems… risky."

"It is." She answered. "But it is better than the alternative."

I stay quiet as we continue through the ship, unsure what else to say. This… this just didn't sit right with me.

I glance over at Cy. She catches my gaze with her bright eyes. She sends me a reassuring smile.

This coaxes a small smile from me. As we reach the cargo bay, the sunlight shining in through the lowered ramp, I start to calm slightly.

She's right. She knows more about politics then me. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. Things should go smoothly.

We started down the ramp, Aerrow still at the lead.

What could go wrong?

"Commander Aerrow!"

Everyone stiffened, save Cy. Oh, not him. Dear Atmos, anyone but him. Anyone but…

"What is the meaning of this insanity?"

…Harrier.

Sure enough, standing at the foot of the ramp, flanked by his squad, was Harrier of the Rex Guardians, bronze armor glinting in the sunlight.

All sense of calm and confidence ebbed away from me, and I wasn't alone. At the sound of Harrier's high, snooty voice, everyone in our group seemed to slump. Even Starling grimaced slightly.

Aerrow straightened up quickly, trying to look professional. "Hello, Harrier. How can I help you today?"

"Don't you 'hello' me! What has possessed you to issue a Priority Six? What could you have found that could possibly be of such importance?"

I frowned. Doesn't he see…? I looked to the side, and blinked. The way we were all standing, Cy was hidden perfectly behind Junko. None of the Rex Guardians had noticed her yet.

Cy caught my look. I saw a slight glint in her eye as she brought a single finger to her lips, grinning mischievously.

While I smiled back, inside I groaned. Five minutes ago she was all set to reveal herself to the whole of Atmosia, but now she stays quiet? What the heck?

Aerrow glanced back and noticed the situation. He gave me a look, and I just shrugged. He raised a brow, and then turned back to Harrier. "We encountered a… high-ranking member of the Cyclonian council. She says she hopes to… donate her resources to Atmosia."

Cy stifled a snort, and I couldn't really blame her. While technically true, Aerrow was stretching the situation quite a bit.

Harrier scoffed. "A single deserter? That is what you deem worthy enough to throw Atmosia into utter turmoil?"

Aerrow's eyebrows rose in complete bafflement. "Turmoil? What do you mean?"

Harrier gave Aerrow a surprised, almost insulted look. "What do I… just look around!" He practically screamed, flinging his arms out wildly.

For the first time, I actually took in the state of Atmosia. The gleaming, spire-like buildings shone brightly in the afternoon sun, contrasting and reflecting against the blue sky. Along the pristine, liter-free streets, immaculate gardens of color lit up every corner with every flower imaginable. As much as I love the Condor, I admittedly hold a sliver of envy for the people who live here, who get to see this beauty every day.

That was when it registered: the people. The usual relaxed air of Atmosia was replaced with a heavy cloud of foreboding. On every street, Skyknights, guards, and even academy recruits were running from place to place, their expressions set in a tight, business-like line. The civilians stood off to the sides, out of the way, watching the soldiers run to and fro, fully aware that something was happening. The only ones unaffected were the few children within eyesight, laughing and playing games whose names I could only vaguely recall. Even so, whenever a Skyknight would rush past them, one child would stop and stare after them, before returning to the game.

After a few moments, I noticed something else; while a few people would run towards the outskirts of the Terra, the majority were gradually making their way towards the center of the Terra, towards the Capitol Building.

Harrier turned back around and fixed Aerrow with a wild stare. "The Council has sent out a complete recall of all military personnel not on assignment. Every able-bodied Skyknight within a hundred Terras is currently headed at top speed towards Atmosia. Every special-op, every resource excursion, every military operation not past the preparation stage, has been completely canceled and abandoned, All Due To YOUR PRIORITY SIX!"

By the end of his rant, Harrier was screaming loud enough to draw attention from everyone in the immediate area. The Skyknights stopped and stared for a few moments, looking between Aerrow and Harrier, before continuing with their running. The civilians, however, stayed and watched.

Aerrow's expression could only be described as abject horror. A sharp shove hit me from behind as Starling pushed past me, her eyes wide as she moved to Aerrow's side. "Everything?" She asked. "How could they shut down everything?"

Harrier's wild gaze did not change as he turned to Starling, though the tone of his voice was slightly more respectful. "What do you expect? The last time a Priority Six was issued was when former-Commander Carver stole the Aurora Crystal, an event that nearly brought complete destruction to all of Atmos! All that's left out there are skeleton crew border patrols. Everything else is heading here, expecting the worse, all because of YOU!" He screamed the last part, stabbing a finger hard into Aerrow's chest, causing him to stumble back.

Aerrow straightened up, scowling slightly. "Look, Harrier, I swear I didn't mean to turn everything upside down like this. That was not my intention. But this is a Priority Six worthy issue."

He scoffed. "A Cyclonian councilmen? Some petty resources? Explain to me how that is possibly worth a Priority Six."

Aerrow took a deep breath. He looked over to Starling, who just stared back, uncertainty plaguing her features. Then he looked back at me, his eyes asking. I glanced over at Cy. After hearing Harrier's outburst, the mirth in her eyes had faded, an almost guilty look replacing it. Despite this, she smiled at me, and gave a nod. I looked back to Aerrow, nodding to him.

Aerrow stared at me for a few seconds, before shaking his head slightly. He let out a sigh, before turning back to Harrier. "Well, Harrier, it kind of depends on which Cyclonian council member it is."

Harrier raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And you, pray tell is of such importance?"

Aerrow shrugged the beginnings of a smile on his lips. "Ask her yourself. She's right over there." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder.

Harrier looked over us all with squinted eyes. "Where?"

"Right there, behind Junko."

Harrier scoffed. "Typical Cyclonian, lurking in the shadows." Cy blinked in bemusement, her mischievous grin returning. Oh dear…

Harrier marched passed Aerrow and Starling, stopping right in front of Junko. "Stand aside, Lieutenant. I want to see this oh-so-important councilman."

Junko frowned at Harrier's dismissive tone. He looked over the Rex Guardian's head at Aerrow. "Uh…?"

Harrier groaned. "Oh, just move!" He grabbed Junko by the shoulder and shoved him aside. (Or rather, he tried to. The only reason Junko moved at all was because Aerrow nodded at him, and he, in response, leaned with Harrier's shove.)

Once Junko moved, Harrier started speaking. "Alright, so who exactly… are… you…"

Harrier froze, his condescending question trailing off into dead silence. His movements, his eyes, even his breathing, came to a complete stop. He stared blankly and wide-eyed directly ahead, as if faced with a being straight out of his nightmares. And in a way, he had.

Because he now found himself face to face, only inches away, from the Queen of Cyclonia.

"Hello, Commander Harrier," Cy greeted in a kind, cheeky tone. "I am Master Cyclonis." She extended her hand out, as if for a handshake. "A pleasure to meet you."

Silence fell. The Rex Guardians gasped, too dumbstruck to even reach for their weapons. Every soldier within earshot completely stopped their eyes wide and locked onto Cy, several reaching for blades and firearms. Every civilian stepped back, looks of horror and terror plain on their faces. One woman grabbed one of the children, a little girl, and hid her behind herself protectively.

As for my team, they just all stood stock still, waiting, an air of apprehension hanging over them. Starling's eyes kept flitting between the two. I'm not sure what was going on in her mind.

And me? I folded my arms and waited. I had a feeling I knew what was going to happen. Judging from Harriers wide eyes, his shallow breathing, and the slight tremor I could see shaking his body, I figured and second now he was going to-

Thunk!

…yeah.

For about ten seconds, everyone stared at Harrier's prone form, twitching slightly on the ground. Cy pulled back her hand, staring down at him in bemusement.

It was silent.

Then…

"Hahahahaha!" Finn clutched at his stomach, doubling over as laughter shook his body. "Ha ha ha, oh, that was amazing! Hahaha…!"

The spell was broken if only slightly. The other guys all stifled their own laughter, with varying degrees of success. The Rex Guardians just stared dumbstruck at their downed Commander. The soldiers and civilians mostly looked confused by what had just happened.

I glanced up at Cy, smirking slightly. "You planned that, didn't you?" I asked over Finn's roaring laughter.

She gasped in mock indignation. "Piper, I'd never plan such a thing!" Then she looked down at Harrier, half-smiling. "But I did hope…"

"keh…"

A small snort drew our attention. To my utter shock, I saw it was Starling, looking at Harrier with a poorly restrained smile. Feeling our gazes, she looked up at Cy and me. She scowled momentarily at the former, but then looked back at Harrier. "He had it coming." She mumbled quietly, smiling again. We heard her.

After a couple minutes, at which point Finn had reined his laughter down to the occasional chuckle, Cy looked around at our group as a whole. "So, should we wake him up, or just head to the meeting?"

I looked to Aerrow questioningly, as did the rest of my squad. Normally, it would be a no-brainer; never leave a man behind. However, we were all thinking the same thing: it is Harrier…

Aerrow stared down at Harrier, his hand to his chin in thought. Then his head snapped up. He looked over to the other Rex Guardians. "Hey!" He said to them. Only a few of them actually heard him, looking at him in confusion. "Who's Harrier's second in command?" He asked them.

The question seemed to draw the attention of the rest of them. The female member of the squad stepped forward, a girl with blond hair and blue eyes, a pair of aviator goggles on her forehead. I recognized her as the same girl I had competed against a year ago for a Phoenix Crystal. In the corner of my eye, I saw Finn shuffle a bit, uncomfortable. Then I remembered; this was the same girl he had fallen for not long ago.

The girl glanced at Harrier for a moment, before straitening up, looking Aerrow in the eye. "I am, sir. Lieutenant Kite, at your service."

Aerrow shifted a bit. He was never really comfortable dealing with being treated as a commanding officer. Never the less, he met her gaze evenly. "Well Lieutenant, as Commander Harrier is momentarily indisposed, you are in charge of the Rex Guardians." Kite's eyes widened significantly, glancing at the twitching Harrier again, but she kept silent. Aerrow continued. "Now, what exactly were your orders for meeting us here?"

Kite stood ramrod straight, clasping her hands behind her back. When she spoke, it was clear she was all business. "The Rex Guardians, upon already being on Atmosia due to prior mission completion, were ordered to intercept Storm Hawk squadron upon their arrival. We were to gain as much information about the newly issued Priority Six alert, and send a messenger ahead to the council with the details. Then, we are too escort Storm Hawk squadron to the Capitol Building for a full assembly. Sir."

Aerrow blinked, and most of us with him. That was… detailed.

"Um… very good." Aerrow said after a moment of stunned silence. "Has your messenger already been sent?"

"No sir." She said. Her expression them morphed into slight embarrassment. "That was actually my responsibility, sir."

Aerrow nodded, and I had to hold in a chuckle. He was so uncomfortable, it was coming off him in waves. "Well, you'll have to send someone else. And this is the message they will be given: the Storm Hawks have brought Master Cyclonis to Atmosia. She wishes to speak to the Atmosian Council. She has the support of Commander Aerrow."

"And Commander Starling." Everyone turned towards Starling in shock. Starling shook her head, letting out a deep sigh. "The council holds me in rather high regard. If my name is attached to the message, they're less likely to do something drastic before we get there." She then gave Aerrow a rueful smile. "And since you're so dead set on risking your career, I might as well do what I can to help you keep it."

Aerrow smiled, nodding to her in thanks. He looked back to the bewildered Kite, who was trying to process what she was told. "Did you get that Lieutenant?"

Kite snapped back to attention. "Y-Yes, Commander. I'll send it immediately." She turned to her squad and motioned one of them over. She whispered in his ear. He looked over the group, his eyes lingering on Cy. Then he took off in a run, bee-lining towards the capitol building. After a few seconds, he rounded a corner and was gone.

Kite turned back to Aerrow. "It's done, sir."

Aerrow nodded awkwardly. "Yes… I can see that." He coughed into his fist, then went on. "Well, I think it's best you escort us to the council now. However…" He looked down at Harrier one last time. "…maybe you should leave one of your men here for when your commander wakes up."

Kite nodded, before calling over another one of her squad members. After whispering in his ear, he moved over to Harrier, standing vigil over his fallen commander.

The Rex guardians are weird.

"Follow us." Lieutenant Kite told us, and started down the street, the other sole remaining Rex Guardian taking up rear guard behind us.

We followed behind her, Aerrow and Starling walking side by side with her. Cy positioned herself in the middle of the group, between me and Stork, with Finn and Junko taking up the rear. As he moved behind us, I saw Finn keep sneaking glances as Lieutenant Kite, a forlorn look on his face. Junko noticed too, and put a massive hand on Finn's shoulder. He looked up at the Wallop and gave a slight smile, before marching along, eyes toward the ground.

All the soldiers and civilians watched us go. Soon they dispersed, the soldiers taking off to wherever they were headed, and the civilians rushing to each other to gossip. I groaned inwardly. I just knew that, within a day, the entire Terra will have heard what had happened.

We continued at a steady pace in silence, trying to ignore the many people watching our little parade from the street sides. After a few minutes I looked over at Cy. To my surprise, she was smiling. She kept looking of in random directions, a wide grin on her face.

"What are you so happy about?" I ask her with a slight giggle.

She glances at me, then continues looking around. "I'm just… soaking in the sights. Everything is so… bright and colorful. Is all of Atmosia like this?"

I chuckle at her curiosity. "Pretty much. Atmosia has the largest Civilian population of any Atmosian Terra, so they try to keep it presentable to keep up moral."

"Extraordinary." She says. Then her smile turns into a small frown, sadness in her bright eyes. "Cyclonia's nothing like this." She says quietly, so only I can hear.

I think for a moment, soaking her words in. "Well," I whisper back. "Maybe we can change that. With Atmosia's help, maybe Cyclonia can be made just as bright and colorful as this."

Cy was very quiet after that, her head down slightly. "Maybe…" She muttered in thought.

The rest of the walk was in silence. Everyone grew more on edge that farther we went.

Finally, the Capitol building came into sight. The building stood in the center of a vast clearing, surrounded by a park of trees. The buildings brown walls out against the silver and grey colors of the other structures. Curved, blue windows lined the walls.

As we neared the doors, Cy breathed deeply, in and out. "Well," She gulped. We're here."

"Yep." I reply as the Red Eagle guards open the massive doors, their eyes locked on Cy, weapons at the ready. "You have any idea what you're going to say."

She shook her head, laughing weakly. "Not really. Figured I'll try and wing it."

I chuckle back, only slightly stronger then she had. "Well, that's worked for us so far."

She nodded. Suddenly, I felt her hand brush close to mine. I glance at her. To anyone else, she was the calm and collected ruler of a Terra. But I could tell. It was the look in her eyes. A look I had grown too accustomed to.

She was terrified.

The next time her hand brushed mine, I caught it. She stiffened slightly, but his it well. I gave her hand a small squeeze, rubbing small circles with my thumb. She gave me a small heartfelt smile. I returned it.

Our hands slipped away from each other just as we reached the doors to the council chambers. A lone guard stood in front of us. He spoke, his tone cold as his eyes zeroed in on Cy.

"The Council will see you now."

A/n: Yes, it's another cliff-hanger. Yes, it's been two months. I'm sorry, but it's Two A.M., and I finally reached a point where I can cut off for a new chapter.

That said, everyone please give thanks and a round of applause to MelonMen99 and Prominence Flare, both of whom helped give me the kick in the pants I needed to sit down and write this thing. Thank you both, and thank you to everyone who is still reading this crazy little tale I thought up. You guys are what keep this story alive.

Also, I was wondering if anyone would be willing to make a TV Tropes page for this story. I'm very much appreciate it. Thanks!