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: Surprise chapter! University has still been draining to say the least. This chapter has been stuck in my "back drawer" for a while, but I hope you still enjoy your read!

Dusk, Terra Vicis, Resistance Staging Area…

Alarms rang across the main staging area as resistance members scrambled to board their skimmers and get airborne.

…

Crow, now huddled in the war room with other technicians and field officers, coordinated communications and reports of enemy sightings. He marked a red x on the map for every report given. His eyes narrowed as he noticed a quarter of the terra had been splotched with red.

"Get me Commander Phoenix."

"Yes sir."

A technician handed Crow the receiver.

Crow calmly held the receiver to his ear.

"Crow, I can see them coming from all directions. Are we still sticking with Plan A?"

"Yes Phoenix. Sparrow, Warbler, you, and your contingent are going to buy us time until we can fully mobilize. Regroup with us as soon as we join you in the air."

"You can count on us Crow. Good hunting down there!"

Crow handed back the receiver to the technician before heading for one of the hangars.

…

Finch entered the infirmary as he spotted Tesia struggling to sit up at her bed. The marksman rushed to her side and helped her into a sitting position on the bed.

"They're coming aren't they."

Finch felt his stomach clench as he heard her remark.

"Yep, but we've seen worse," Finch confirmed hastily as he stared into her weary eyes. "You're too weak to fight right now. I'm getting you to a safe zone where you'll be farther away from the fighting."

"What about you? What about my team?" Tesia exclaimed.

"You need to recover before you head back out there. I'll make sure of it."

Tesia got off the bed slowly and stood shakily as she leaned on Finch for support. She looked into the sharpshooter's eyes with worry.

"They didn't spare anyone. They're running by their destabilization playbook," Tesia informed. "What I mean is, I don't want to lose you Finch."

"Don't worry, you won't."

"I can't just sit here knowing that you're in imminent danger! I need to be there!" Tesia pleaded.

"Please Tesia, you need to rest and recover. I'll see you at dusk. Just please, go with the medical personnel now. I'll see you at nightfall."

The two stood in silence for a moment, feeling the occasional rumble from outside of the compound. Both shared a kiss as the entire infirmary began to rumble more violently than before.

"Medic, get her out of here," Finch directed as he motioned for a medic to come support Tesia.

"Yes sir."

Finch watched as Tesia leaned against the medic as the two moved toward the exit of the infirmary.

...

The merb approached the hangar briskly as crystal blasts exploded overhead.

As he entered, Cormorant approached him rapidly.

"Crow! We've rarely used skimmers! How are we going to fight the Cyclonians from here?"

"We're waiting for more of them to make landfall. The Vicis Resistance will take care of the aerial battle. We are needed on the ground."

Peregrine hopped off the crate she was sitting on as she approached Crow.

"We'll send them packing! I assure you that!"

"Keep that morale alive. This is going to be a long mission," Crow said approvingly.

"Stay vigilant, all of you. Reports indicate Cyclonians have already landed and are closing in as we speak."

Finch rounded a corner with troops, evidently scouts, trailing behind him.

"We're ready to deploy on your orders Crow."

The merb nodded to his friend and some scouts saluted back in response.

"We'll tag along too if that's alright."

Prinia entered with her teammate and walked along side the contingent from Terra Erutidio.

Finch turned away slightly, uttering something under his breath.

Crow shook his head disapprovingly at Finch.

Finch rolled his eyes as the surrounding troops looked worriedly at both commanders.

"I don't want any of this pettiness endangering anyone out on the field. Remember, we're all on the same side. Let's keep it that way," Crow stated specifically eyeing Finch.

"Alright, I need everyone here east of Proelium. Evacuation efforts are still underway in that area, and a large enemy force is reportedly approaching the capital city. Exercise extreme caution. These aren't just any Cyclonians, they're royal elites. These guys are the best of the best, handpicked by Cyclonis herself. We don't have info on their commanders, so keep an eye out."

The crowd responded with resounding phrases of understanding as the contingent began boarding a refurbished Cyclonian gunship.

"Finch, please, I need to speak with you for a moment," Crow ordered as Finch approached him unwillingly.

"Crow, I know. I'll put the whole "left-her-to-die-thing" aside for now okay?"

"Your tone still shows your aggression. I know it's tough but let go man."

"You think it's that easy to just forgive her after what she's done?"

"I'm just saying that people make difficult decisions, and I agree that different measures could've been taken, but what matters now is that Tesia is still alive and your troops need their leader.

Finch sighed in defeat.

"I'll try," Finch managed to respond as he proceeded toward the gunship.

Crow looked concerned as he watched the young commander board the gunship.

…

Late evening, Proelium…

Discrete chatter was heard as the last of the civilians piled into waiting transports that were going to take them to a Vicis Resistance protected safe zone.

Atop a roof, Finch watched paced restlessly as he observed the faint flashes of light beyond the foliage bordering the city.

"I hope Phoenix, Sparrow, Warbler, and the others are alright."

Peregrine rose and walked over to her commander.

"I'm sure they'll be alright commander."

Finch crouched low and massaged his eyelids.

"Any reports from base yet?" the tired commander inquired before letting out a small sigh.

"Last we heard, the main line is still stuck in the fight," Peregrine reported as she scanned the city limits for movement. "A few stragglers got through, only to be destroyed by our defenses," Peregrine continued.

The two turned as they heard rapid footsteps darting up the staircase.

"Commanders, the main line is pulling back! We're about to have heavy contact coming our way!" the soldier reported.

"About dang time," Cormorant remarked as he stood up to join the two other commanders.

"Commander Prinia and her forces have the south western side of the city. We have two other contingents set up in the north western and south eastern sectors as well," the trooper reported.

"Sweet, the north east is all ours!" Cormorant exclaimed which earned a questioning look from Peregrine. "That means more Cyclonian skulls to crush," Cormorant said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Come on then, let's get set up," Finch instructed as Cormorant, Peregrine, and the soldier split off to report to their respective defensive positions.

"Finch, this is Phoenix, come in over."

Finch grabbed his receiver and whipped it toward his ear.

"It's good to hear from you Phoenix. What are we looking at?"

"We got tons of bad guys on our tails. Has Proelium been cleared?"

"The last transports are moving out right now."

"Good, because we're bringing the fun right to you. We'll need to refuel, so you guys will be acquainted with our unwelcomed guests in a few."

"I'm counting on it man. Here we go."

Finch hung up the receiver and heard the first batch of resistance skimmers screech by as they returned to base. The skimmers kept shooting by as red crystal blasts soon accompanied the tactically retreating resistance fighters.

"This is it! Brace yourselves!" Finch shouted over the screeching of skimmers as Cyclonian infantry began pouring into plain view of the defenders.