Episode 28

Apart from writing down the mere footnotes the Archive contained about the FarSide, and trying to read the subtext for clues on where it was or how to get to it, (we pulled a few all-nighters together, making sure neither of us dozed off) I was fitting the Nightcrawlers with their upgrades and taking notes on the progress of her plan, and making sure it was happening according to schedule.

From what I could tell, the FarSide was fabled to be a land, a continent, highly advanced in technology because of it's geography. While we had to create the TimePulse, they had a natural TimePulse that emitted from the earth itself, for example. It was home to the most powerful crystals of all for the same reason. Both technology and crystals was Cycloniss' drive to get to it.

Since the FarSide was in the same world as ours, I figured the Barrier Cliffs, what surrounds Cyclonia and Atmos, was what kept the natural TimePulse from reaching us, making us build the TimePulse to begin with. But those spikes could go on forever, and the Great Expanse had Sky Sirens. Supposedly there was a door that, with its key, could open a portal to the FarSide. Now we just had to figure out what "All know of her, but none will know the connection in the divide between Clairvoyance and the Old World." and "The turn of the lock displayed underground."And how would we get back from the FarSide anyway? Unless the door wasn't one-way. It'd make things easier if it wasn't.

I couldn't blame Cycloniss for getting obsessed with this, so was I though for a different reason. Each day I spent more and more time here and planned my schedule around it. I liked the challenge the old english posed and besides, any information could come in handy if I end up in the FarSide.

Wake up, take off, eat on the go.

In Cyclonia: check the progress, train with Ravess or Dark Ace, research with Cy, lunch with Cy.

Back at the Condor: cook dinner, play cards or target practice with less than lively opponents, and cuddle an increasingly demanding Finn with a mission here and there from Cycloniss.


I woke up in the early morning, before dawn broke, as I usually did. Finn rolled over onto me and hugged me tight as usual. I was going shimmy out of his hold like I usually did but something stopped me. I hadn't been spending much time with him. Finn cared deeply for me and I cared for him. I shouldn't be so distant.

God I feel guilty.

He snored slightly, not loud enough to be bothersome, and slept with his mouth open.

Silly goose. Meh, I can sleep in today. I'll get my priorities straight tomorrow.


Clairvoyance, Old World, lock, underground...damn it, I was never good with old english!

Looking over, I saw Cycloniss had fallen asleep on the table.

~I blinked my eyes slowly, waking up.

"Morning," Finn said. He hovered over me.

"Were you watching me sleep?"

"It's been a while since I saw your sleeping face." He admitted with slight smile.

"...I'll spend more time here."

"You're so serious about work." He teased and tickled.

"Stah-op! It's too early!" He relented but trapped my lips in a kiss. It quickly became heated.

"Finn, stop."

"Why?"

"We're too young to do that."

"I'm coming of age in a few months?"

"16 I still too young." I said, looking away.~

He had woken with morning wood before but I've been ignoring it for my sake, but this was harder to ignore. This attraction, of wanting more, was something I never felt before. I knew he was new to it too but it didn't soothe me. Just thinking about it made me blush. Though he wasn't in a rush, I wanted to wait 'til he was older. Earth rules were deeply ingrained in me. Here, people had babies in their late teens at the earliest. It was common practice.

I decided to spend more time at the Condor, more specifically with Finn. Though it was important to me and in general to continue my work in Cyclonia, I simply couldn't say no to Finn, much less to a date which we haven't had in a while. Rather than staying for lunch, I left early to meet him at Terra Neon. The Ferris Wheel had been rebuilt since Dark Ace destroyed it when he was posessed by the SUV. Cycloniss seemed surprised. We have been 'attached at the hip' these past two weeks. I hoped the sandcake I brought would eased things over.


Since things were still relatively quiet, not exactly unbeknownst to them that a this might be the calm before the storm, the gang and I focused on having fun while we could. I made it a priority to enjoy my time with them. I could do my best and make sure things happened as it should, but I would be a liar if I said I wasn't afraid my presence caused a rip in the sequence of events.

Squadron Log:
Clear skies, smooth sailing and not a Cyclonian in sight for weeks.
In other words: we're bored out of our minds- Piper


After a day at Terra Nord, checking up on the Absolute Zeroes, I headed back to my second life. Nord was cold enough, and has been hospitable to them, but we did find a nothin' terra nearby for them to inhabit. That was our newest 'mission'. When I landed in the hanger, a cyclonian came up to me and said Cycloniss wanted me upstairs. I tapped my foot rapidly on the metal floor of the elevator. Cycloniss had never asked for me; I simply found her and picked up where I left off.

Ravess, Snipe and the Dark Ace were already in the throne room; but so were the Raptors. All of us being here together never happened until now, but I suppose it's happened before I was around, with just them. So...a normal occurance?

"Starlight! Hiiii!" Lugey greeted. Repton punded his head with his fist. I gave Lugey a robotic wave, still apprehensive of what this was about.

"We are about to commence of phase one of Operation Exodus. It is essential to maintain absolute secrecy. Right now, all you need to know is that I require a large supply of these rare Warp Crystals." Cycloniss commanded us. Phase One-

"You're sending us on a scavenger hunt?" Ravess complained. She narrowly dodged Cycloniss' blast.

"And nothing will interfere with that mission, is that clear Ravess?"

"Unless she runs into the Storm Hawks-ha ha!" Snipe laughed.

"I noticed you haven't managed to defeat them either, dear brother!" Snipe responded by mocking her.

"If the Storm Hawks do manage to interfere, I'll reward untold riches to the Talon who can ground them. Permanently." Ravess punched Snipe in his arm and the fought like siblings all the way to the hall.

"Let's go boyssss!" Raptor hissed. All were excited for the hunt.

"Something the matter Starlight?" I jumped. I looked over my shoulder.

"No." I said lightly, and continued to the door.

"I hope it won't be hard for you..." She baited. I hesitated in my next step.

" 'Course not."