DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters, locations, equipment etc used in this story, it exists purely because I want it to

WARNING: This Story contain themes of violence, torture, segregation, slavery and death (not necessarily in that order). Graphic content has been kept to a minimum to avoid M rating, even so, viewer discretion is advised

I DONE GOOFED!

I forgot the French translations last chapter, don't worry, here they are instead

Absolument = Absolutely

Magnifique = Magnificent

(I've done this one on a previous chapter, but I'll include it anyway) Cretin = Moron

Mon ami = Friend (Also one from a previous chapter, but what the heck)

Now with that out the way

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME BACK TO... 'THE STORM AND THE HAWK' CHAPTER 5

I'm sorry to say, but it's exposition time, we're going to learn a few more details about Long Feng's attack on the Cyclonian resistance nine years ago and his kidnap of Lark, as well what exactly goes on behind the scenes at the Cyclonian segregation camps, that the Senate doesn't want the people of Atmos knowing about, along with a few other details

Also, I'm making a slight change to the story, don't worry it's nothing drastic, it's simply an alteration of half a characters name and it's not even going to have that great of an impact. See the thing is, when I started writing this story, I knew that the last name of the actress who voiced Piper in the show was Zanni, so I thought I'd be clever and make that Piper's actual last name too. However, after thinking about it for a while, and running the name over and over again in my mind, I've decided I don't like it, so I'm changing Piper's last name in this story to Peregrine instead. Again, it's not really going to impact anything major, and when I have the time, I'll change it in chapter 1, I just didn't like the sound of it

And if anyone, wants to have a go at me for that, well... YOUR SOUL WILL BE ABOUT AS MUCH OF A BLASTED WASTELAND AS 70% OF THE ATMOS SONNY!

Ahem, excuse me

Anyway, on with the show

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Dear Readers (and Mortals) all, welcome back to... The Storm and the Hawk

Chapter 5: A People in Chains

Several hours later

Ace could feel his head thumping and his side throbbing in pain as consciousness slowly returned to him, the first thing he became aware of was that he was strapped to a chair, a very familiar chair. It was Lark's chair, the chair Long Feng used to torture her, a chair that, because of the role Ace had needed to play, he himself had escorted her too on multiple occasions, completely helpless as she had screamed from the agony the chair inflicted upon her. Now he was sat in it, that did not bode well

The doors to the room suddenly opened and Long Feng himself walked through, from his expression, Ace could tell he was unhappy about something, and new hope flared within Ace

"She got away," he said smugly, which caused an infinitesimal twitch from Long Feng

"Indeed, along with her sister, two of my engineers, a new ship and three Academy students," Long Feng replied tersely

"Bet this is pretty humbling for you," Ace noted, "The great Long Feng, Atmosia's greatest hero, bested by the daughter of the man you murdered, she isn't even twenty and she handed your ass to you without a sweat," Ace chuckled

Long Feng studied Ace for a moment, and then began chuckling himself. Ace stared at him confused, before Long Feng spoke, "Humbling, hardly, just annoyed that I didn't pick up on Subject C being the younger sister, or that she had a sister at all."

Now Ace was thoroughly confused, "But she beat you," Ace started, but was cut off as Long Feng continued

"Oh I always knew she was a part of the resistance, from the moment she came to the Academy I knew she was a part of it," Long Feng began, "I knew about the secret training she and the other Cyclonians were educating themselves in, about the plan to break Subject C out," at Ace's widened eyes, Long Feng began smirking as he nodded towards his captive, "Yes, I even knew about you, how you were working from the inside, providing Starling with Intel, how it would be your task to break Subject C out of her cell. I, knew, everything." He finished smiling

"Well, almost everything, if I had known Starling was a Cyclonis, I might have done things differently," here Long Feng paused to give Ace a sly look, "Like bend Starling to my will as well,"

Ace could only stare at the man – no – the monster before him in shock, he had known, but if he had known then why?

Suddenly Ace felt the pieces click into place, he let them get away, he wants them to go back to the resistance, I thought Lark attacking me was merely to disrupt the plan to break her out, but it's worse than that. Now Starling will take Lark back to the resistance, back to their grandmother, Master Anarchis Cyclonis...

"You're using Lark as an assassin, one Anarchis will never suspect," Ace breathed

Long Feng smiled a toothy grin, "Very good, I knew you were a bright one," he said, patting Ace's cheek, "It certainly adds to your value."

Ace snapped back into the present at those words, "Value?" he asked, confused

"Indeed, I'm always on the lookout for new tools to do my bidding and increase my power," as Long Feng spoke, he activated the mechanical arms sprouting out of the chair, which hummed to life

Ace could only stare up in terror at the fate that awaited him

Starling carefully observed the scopes, checking every screen to make sure they were clear of any contacts, "Your absolutely sure they can't follow or sneak up on us right?" she asked, glancing in Stork's direction

Stork gave a dry chuckle, "If they had a ship that could follow us and sneak up on us, then I'd be out of a job."

"Didn't you say this ship wasn't finished yet?" Aerrow asked

All eyes went to Stork, but it was Junko who spoke up, "There are still a few kinks to work out, but everything works as it's supposed to, other than that, there are just a few rooms that need to be completed, but they're not important from a practical stand point."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief at that, and Starling finally stopped checking the scopes, they'd been flying for several hours now without pursuit, it was safe to say they had successfully escaped. Starling picked up her radio and set it to Ravess's frequency

"Ravess, come in Ravess, can you hear me?" she asked, but all she got in response was static, "Ravess if you can hear me, I have Lark, Ace got her out of her cell, but they got separated, I met up with Piper and a couple of her friends, we commandeered a ship and are heading for the rendezvous, we'll wait there for 24 hours for you to catch up. If we don't hear from you before then, we'll assume..." Starling trailed off here, the thought that she had led her team to their deaths almost too much to bear

Just as she felt as if the days stress would finally break her, she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder; she turned to see Piper standing behind her, a small, comforting smile on her face. Starling smiled back, then turned back to the radio and continued, "We'll assume you made it out but are unable to make it to the rendezvous, in which case," Starling took a breath, "I'll get Lark back to base and put together a recovery team to find you, I'm not going to abandon you, so please, don't lose hope, and don't give up... Starling out."

As she finished, Starling sat down on one of the chairs surrounding an oval table in the middle of the bridge, just behind where the controls for the ship were located, and put her head in her hands. No one spoke for several moments, and then Starling's voice broke the silence, "Nine years," she said, to no one in particular, simply stating the number, "Nine years of planning and preparation, nine years of my life, of my team's lives."

No one spoke, no one could really imagine being in Starling's position right now, so Starling continued, "I thought I planned everything out, thought of every possible eventuality... thought I was ready," Starling gave a dry chuckle, "Shows what I know, my very first mission, and I botch it up in the worst way, my whole team gone, and I'm the one to blame."

Junko and Stork both shifted uncomfortably by the controls, Piper, Aerrow and Dove simply stared at Starling in silence. Across from where Starling sat, stood Lark, leaning against one of the walls, also staring at Starling, who now looked up into her sister's dark, violet eyes, Lark stared right back into Starling's emerald eyes

"All for you, all to get you out, and when we succeed, you don't even remember anything, about who you are, to our people, to grandmother, to me" Starling finished

The silence stretched out as the two of them stared one another down, finally, Lark broke it, "It's not my fault I don't remember you, I don't remember anything beyond nine years ago, that's the way it's always been for me, no matter how hard I try I can never recall anything from before I first woke up in my cell in that place."

Now everyone was looking at Lark aghast, "Nothing, you do not remember anything?" Dove asked

Lark nodded before looking back to Starling, "The first thing I remember is waking up in my cell, and even that's fragmented, along with the past nine years," she explained

Piper frowned here, "But why though? How could simple torture do that to someone?"

Lark shrugged, "Don't know, I was too busy screaming in agony, to ask Long Feng about the intricacies of his methods," she replied coldly

Piper flinched at her cold response, "Sorry, that was thoughtless of me."

Lark blinked, surprised, once again, Piper was nothing but kind with her. After a moment of thought, Lark realised that Piper's question had simply been one of curiosity, nothing more, "No it's okay, I didn't mean to imply," but Piper cut her off before she could continue

"And I should remember exactly what it is you've been through these past nine years," Piper said, a kind smile on her face, "So how about we call it even okay."

Lark smiled and nodded at that

"It's a valid question though," Aerrow stated, "I mean come on, you must remember something?" he asked

Lark studied Aerrow for a moment, before turning to look at the floor, thinking hard. Then the images and sounds that had come to her shortly before Piper had found her came back. "Well, there is one thing, but I have no idea what it was, it may not have even been a memory, just a hallucination," she replied

"Well let's hear it anyway," Junko suggested, getting a murmur of agreement from all

Lark sighed, "Alright fine, it was, white, there was this white stuff everywhere, and it was cold, there were these wooden structures around me, some of them were burning... and there were bodies... blood... screams... the wind howling... then I passed out, the next thing I remember is waking up to see Piper rummaging through a first aid kit."

Throughout Lark's description of what she had seen, Piper had noticed Starling's face go from interested, to unreadable, she then bowed her head slightly, and her features were hidden from view. Then she spoke, "What triggered these images, what happened to you right before you began to see them?" Starling asked, her voice distant an emotionless

Lark glanced back at her, before looking away, as if embarrassed, "I took a graze from one of the soldier's shots at me, when I lifted my hand from the wound I saw my fingers slick with blood... my blood."

"I was going to ask about your clothes," Dove remarked, nodding to Lark's still bloodstained prison uniform

Piper's gaze had never left Starling, even during Lark's tale, because she could now see that the young Cyclonian Heiress was shaking, badly. "Starling, are you alright?" Piper finally asked

Everyone's eyes were now on Starling, who finally looked up, Piper felt her stomach lurch, and heard a hitched breath come from where Dove and Aerrow were sitting, but as she was not facing them, she couldn't tell who it had come from. The cause however, that was obvious, Starling had tears running down her cheeks, forming twin tracks down her face

"That was no hallucination, that was the day you were taken from us, along with mum and dad," Starling replied, looking straight at Lark, whose face had just gone a lot paler than usual

"What are you talking about?" Lark demanded

Starling took a few calming breaths, before beginning, "I was only eight at the time, but I was already showing great interest and skill with many of the facets of leading the resistance. So one day, grandmother asked if I would like to come with her on an errand to one of our field bases, it wasn't anything dangerous so mum and dad were cool with it. I jumped at the offer, back then, I was still in awe of grandmother, and believed that nothing could surprise her, I took every opportunity I could to spend time with her."

Piper felt a chill go up her spine as the clues she already had started to come together, then Starling continued. "You wanted to come too Lark, but mum and dad wanted you to stay with them, they weren't ready to risk you as well," Starling gave a dry chuckle, "It's so ironic, I was never the one in danger, if they had only let you come with us, maybe even come along themselves... then none of us would even be here right now, our paths would never have crossed," Starling's voice now dropped so low, it was almost impossible to hear, almost, "Mum and dad might still be with us too."

Piper felt the pieces click, "Long Feng attacked your main hideout while you and your grandmother were away, the attack nine years ago, where he was credited with finally destroying the resistance and ending the Cyclonis family line."

All eyes turned to Piper as she spoke, Starling merely nodded, her tears still running down her cheeks, "Grandmother and I returned to find the place in ruins, half our people gone, mum and dad dead, and Lark missing, when we questioned the survivors, we discovered that Long Feng had kidnapped her."

Now all eyes turned to Lark as Starling continued, "That's what those images were; you were remembering the attack, at least pieces of it."

Lark looked like she was about to collapse as she stared at Starling disbelievingly, "But that's not... that doesn't make sense... that can't be right."

Everyone stared at Lark as she went into a self debate, confused by this sudden behaviour. All but Piper, who went straight over to her, and gently took hold of her shoulders, causing Lark to look at her. Making sure she had eye contact, Piper spoke, "I promise you Lark, I'm going to help you recover what you've lost."

"But I haven't..." Lark began, but trailed off at seeing Piper's raised eyebrow

"Think about it Lark, everyone here knows about Long Feng's attack nine years ago," Piper started

"Yea, it was national news," Stork commented, before catching Starling's glare and refocusing his attention on flying the ship

"We can all safely say that what you saw matches up with the events of that attack, not completely I'll admit due to the fragmented nature of the memory, and the limited information from the reports, but think, if you've been in that facility for the last nine years, then when or where would you have seen those things, images and settings which match up nearly perfectly with Long Feng's attack on the Cyclonians nine years ago."

When Piper was finished, Lark couldn't help but stare into space as the wheels in her head began turning, is it really possible, that Long Feng stole my memories from me, that I had a life before waking up in that cell?

The silence dragged on for some time, the only sound being the Condor's engines as they cruised through the sky. Finally Starling broke it; as she sat up, heaving a heavy sigh. "I really should have seen this coming, I mean, you were his prisoner for nine years, it would make sense that he would want to take your memories from you," she began, "No memories, means no life, your entire existence would be dependent on Long Feng."

"Don't forget, no name, he took that from her too," Piper added as she stepped away from Lark

Starling raised an eyebrow here, "Really, what did he replace it with?" she asked

"Subject C, that's what I was called, truthfully, that's how I still see myself, it's just been the way things are for so long now, anything else seems... strange," Lark replied despondently

Aerrow's fist clenched, Junko's brow creased, Stork gripped the wheel of the ship harder. Next to Aerrow, Dove took a breath, on the exhale a single word came out "Connard!"

Starling meanwhile looked like she was about to pop a vein, "He'll pay, by Atmos he'll pay for everything he's done," she growled

Aerrow turned to Starling here, "Not that I don't believe you or anything, but considering that Long Feng is considered a war hero and national treasure, do you mind providing some context to your accusations?" he asked

Starling took a calming breath before looking up from staring at the table, "I suppose I should, you've all thrown your lot in with the resistance, you deserve to know why we fight and why we oppose the senate."

Before Starling continued, she turned to Stork, "How close are we to the coordinates I gave you?"

Stork glanced back towards her at this, "We're almost there actually, about thirty minutes out," he replied

Starling nodded, "Good, that will give me some time to get things ordered in my head, I suggest the rest of you do anything you need to do, you're going to want to fully concentrate on what I have to tell you."

Long Feng observed the semi-conscious Ace, he was a tough one, that was for sure, but he'd break eventually, they all broke eventually. "Take him back to his cell," he ordered the guards, before turning to Ace, "We'll continue this tomorrow Ace," Long Feng said with a smile

Long Feng was about to leave the room, when a call came over the intercom, "Administrator Long Feng, the Senate wishes to see you, immediately," came the voice of the base commander

Long Feng sighed, 30 years I've put up with that collection of corrupt politicians; soon I'll be rid of them, yes, very soon

"Tell them I'm on my way," Long Feng replied into the intercom terminal next to the door to the room

About half an hour later, Long Feng arrived at the Senate building; he was ushered in by Terra Atmosia's personal Skyknight squadron, The Red Eagles. Only the top members of the senate were in attendance, about half a dozen individuals at most, all representatives from the most influential Terra's in Atmos. They liked to think they held the most power too, but that title went to Long Feng himself, though none of them were aware of that fact.

"You summoned me," Long Feng stated as he approached the raised dais where the Senate sat

The members of the senate all glanced at one another, before turning to Long Feng, then the Chancellor – the leader of the Senate – spoke. "Long Feng, it has come to our attention that your facility was breached by members of the resistance earlier today," he began

Long Feng steeled himself, he'd known this was coming; it was unavoidable considering the escape method Starling had used. He straightened his posture as he prepared to deliver the story he had already prepared for this eventuality. "That is correct; it seems the Cyclonian students who were enrolled at Traven Academy were part of the resistance, they have been planning today's debacle for some time, nine years if I were to guess, in short a deep infiltration mission, that they managed to pull off," Long Feng explained

The senators all began muttering amongst themselves before the Chancellor spoke again, "If we are to believe this, then it seems that your facility was compromised by, children, is that correct?"

"And if it isn't, then this is merely a sign of your incompetence!" stated one of the other senators while the others muttered in agreement

Long Feng's right eye gave an infinitesimal twitch at the words, before he composed himself and addressed the senators, "Young adults, and exceptionally skilled ones at that, their leader even managed to turn an aspiring young crystal mage to their side, though to be fair, when I read her psychological profile I became worried she might become a fringe element," Long Feng replied, "In fact I believe I mentioned her, Piper Peregrine, my report even stated that I wished to take her under my jurisdiction as soon as possible, to which you ordered that would only become possible after, her graduation."

Long Feng waited impassively as the muttering began again, in his head, he was smiling, what a bunch of incompetent fools they are, they'll believe anything I say, and even if they don't, they know that without me, ALF, the source of their authority will come crumbling down around their ears, it's pathetic

With a wave of his hand, the Chancellor brought silence to the others, before steeple-ling his fingers, his eyes boring into Long Feng over the top of them. Long Feng met his gaze, unflinchingly, then the Chancellor spoke, "Fair enough, if they've managed to avoid detection for all these years and been preparing at the same time, then I suppose this was unavoidable," he began, and then his eyes hardened as he continued. "That being said, we cannot tolerate this direct attack on our sovereignty, from an enemy that is supposed to be defeated, by you," as the Chancellor finished, the other senators began nodding, this was a threat, and it needed to be dealt with

"I assure you Chancellors, I already have a plan in motion to punish these last dying embers of resistance, they shall trouble us no further once it is complete," Long Feng stated

The Chancellor's eyes narrowed, "No, you've done enough, we trusted you with the resistances destruction nine years ago, and though you succeeded at driving them underground, they have continued to be a persistent thorn in our side, both in their outer Terra skirmishes and in the streets of our cities with their protests," the Chancellor stated, to more nods and agreement from the other senators, "We will take things from here, we've already placed a bounty on the ones that escaped the facility using the ship your engineering team were developing, and we have patrols out searching for them as we speak."

Long Feng felt his stomach lurch, they'd dare to interrupt my plans, they'll ruin everything

"Once the culprits have been captured they shall be publicly tried and executed as traitors to the Republic, and this matter will be settled, as for what remains of the resistance," the Chancellor paused here as a smile began to slowly creep across his face, "Anarchis cannot live forever, when she dies, the resistance will start fighting each other in the resulting power vacuum, what's left will barely be called a resistance at all and will be easily mopped up by ALF, which – once the threat has been completely eliminated – we can begin dialing back, and re-purposing it's maintenance funds for other areas of the Republic."

The Chancellor's words were met with smiles and agreement from each of the senators, before the Chancellor dealt his final card, "And then my friend, you will finally be able to retire to a life of luxury as the decorated war hero you are," a pause, "So long as you behave, you've played with the resistance for far too long, had you finished them off nine years ago, you'd be living like a king right now."

And leave Atmos in your hands, I don't think so, Long Feng thought sourly, you'd bleed it dry to attempt to satisfy your own greed. I would see a great empire, that will forever eclipse Cyclonia, rise, with me as it's Emperor

Outwardly, Long Feng merely smiled and bowed low to the Chancellor, "Of course, I've been looking forward to my retirement for some time now, if it wasn't for these blasted Cyclonians, I'd already be sitting on a beach on Terra Tropica, enjoying the spoils of war."

"Then let us handle this, and you may still get that chance, Long Feng," the Chancellor replied

Long Feng continued to smile, keeping it easy and natural, so as to avoid suspicion, "Oh don't worry Chancellor, I shan't interfere," he replied

The Chancellor nodded at this, before waving towards the door, "Your dismissed, Administrator Long Feng."

Long Feng bowed again, before straightening up, turning on his heel, and marching towards the door, which two Red Eagles opened for him. Only when the doors had closed behind him, did Long Feng allow a scowl to cross his features, Oh I won't interfere, but I have plenty of Cat's Paws to derail your plans, and ensure the success of my own

The Terra was small and unnamed, detailed maps might have the Terra's position marked, but it was just one of dozens of similar small Terras that were scattered throughout the Terra Atmosia area and its neighboring Terra's. As such, it had been considered the perfect rendezvous for the resistance infiltration team and their extraction team; it was a safe distance from Atmosia, in case they were detected, had plenty of cover to hide them in case a patrol did happen to swing by, and even a source of fresh water. This was the Terra where the Condor landed at around 10:00pm that evening, after the most chaotic day that the ship's occupants had experienced, it was finally over, and they could catch their breath

As promised, after Starling had sent out her coded transmission to the extraction team, who she said would arrive some time tomorrow morning, she gathered everyone onto the bridge, it was time to reveal to everyone the foul truth behind the Republic's, peace

Once everyone was seated, all eyes turned to Starling, who had recovered from the stress she'd been suffering under earlier. After taking a breath, Starling looked up at everyone, "Okay, first I think it's only fair that I know how much you guys know about the Republic's private dealings," Starling said simply

"Well we know the Senators aren't exactly 'Boy Scouts'," Aerrow commented

Dove nodded, "Oui, but what politicians are?"

That got a chuckle from everyone, then Piper spoke, "I know Long Feng has been credited with a lot of things over the years, various inventions and patents, he pretty much created ALF, and now supplies its weapons, other than that," Piper glanced at Lark, who was sat beside her, but she showed no sign that she was uncomfortable with the subject they were discussing, so Piper continued. "He also personally led the Attack on the Cyclonian main resistance base nine years ago, but the media portrayed it as a great victory, they even announced that Corvin, the son of Anarchis Cyclonis, and his wife, were both executed by ALF forces," Piper noticed Starling twitch at the mention of her parents execution so she decided that was enough

Stork had not noticed however, "Yea, they gave him a medal and everything-oof!" Stork's spiel was cut off mid sentence by a timely elbow from Junko, who simply nodded to Starling at Stork's indignant look, "Oh, sorry," he finished, apologetically

Starling took a deep breath, "No it's fine, that's what comes from being born on the wrong side of an old conflict," Starling now made sure to look each of them in the eye as she prepared to continue, "Do you know anything about what happens in the Cyclonian segregation camps?" Starling asked

Silence met her question; it was the dead kind of silence, the kind when every individual is too afraid to answer. "I didn't think so, even the good ones – and those are incredibly generous words to give these establishments – don't let the public know what goes on inside," Starling stated

"Let me guess," Lark said, "You do."

Starling nodded, "During the infiltration period, there was one year where we received an emergency mission from home, to get an operative out of a camp, located on a Terra close to Atmosia," she explained, "It was too risky to bring in another squad for the extraction, and luckily, we were on summer holiday, it was a practice run really, security was lousy that far in, thought that a team of Cyclonians would never be that close to Atmosia."

Starling's face gained a haunted look, as everyone else felt the temperature in the room begin to drop. "What we found there, was unthinkable, the Terra in question hated Cyclonians, they'd abused their power over their captives, broken them down, stripped away all hope and feeling from them," Starling said

"Sounds familiar," Piper muttered, glancing at Lark out the corner of her eye

"The people kept there, lived in squalor, the buildings where they slept were falling apart and were disease ridden death traps," Starling continued, "Their food was moldy and foul, the water they were given to drink was filthy, and the medical care consisted of first quarantine, followed by dumping into a mass grave, the only reason the camp still has a population is because they keep bringing in new arrivals from other camps, whose populations have grown too large for the camps to handle."

Junko looked like he was going to be sick, and Dove and Aerrow weren't far behind him, as for Stork, if he wasn't so morbidly wrapped up in all this, Piper had a feeling he would have fainted by now. "But the worst was yet to come, we discovered from the people who were trapped there, that they were being forced to work, they were routinely sent to the smelting plants and other factories as cheap labour, of course, the camps captives would never see a penny of their earnings, the smelters and factories hired them directly from their warden."

"Then there were the medical experiments, the captives were used as lab rats to test out different medicines, chemicals and drugs, without any regard for their safety, health or well being." Starling paused here as she examined her companion's faces

Aerrow's face had take on a dark expression, Dove and Piper were both starring in open mouthed horror, Junko looked ill and Stork did not look much better beside him. Only Lark seemed unfazed by all this, for the simple reason that she had been through an equally horrible experience

Finally Piper found her voice, "That's... I don't even... I had no idea it was that bad."

Starling nodded, "There are exceptions, not every camp is as bad as the one we went too, but most of the camps are simply variations of the one we infiltrated to get our operative out of," she said

Silence filled the room for several minutes, before Aerrow spoke, "Do you have any evidence, because I know for a fact that very few people would stand for this, Cyclonian or not, no one deserves to be treated in such a way."

Starling smiled here, "I wish most people in Atmos shared your viewpoint Aerrow, this all would have been over long ago if that were the case," she began, "Unfortunately, not only do most people simply not care, but they trust their Senate, over us."

Lark raised an eyebrow here, before understanding dawned, "You've already tried to show people the real conditions of the camps, haven't you?"

Starling nodded, "It was following the success of getting better educational prospects, just a few years after father's raid to free our people, we decided to try and close down all of the camps simultaneously by showing people what it was truly like inside," Starling then sighed, "But the Senate was ready for us the second time, they were able to bring out their own propaganda that convinced people we were lying, we've tried several times after that to get the story picked up again by the broadcast stations, without success, they simply refuse."

Aerrow swore, while everyone else just looked disheartened, "That's why we fight, the Senate won't ever allow us to gain the power we need to convince the people of Atmos to set us free, so we are forced to fight for our freedom," Starling explained, her voice hard, determined, but also unwavering in terms of loyalty and dedication

"I think I understand now why you asked Piper to help you," Dove stated, all eyes turned to her, "But what I do not understand, is why you did not ask myself or Aerrow, neither of us would have stood by while such atrocities were being committed."

All eyes turned back to Starling, who studied Dove for several moments, before sitting back in her chair and looking up at the ceiling, "In hindsight yes, I can see how that was short-sighted of me, just as Atmosians have a poor opinion of Cyclonian, so have I and many Cyclonians, developed a poor opinion of Atmosians," Starling began as she brought her gaze back to those around her, "I asked Piper because she opened my eyes to the fact that not all Atmosians are the same, but that was not the only reason."

Piper frowned here, "What do you mean?"

Starling's gaze now focused entirely on Piper, "Quite simply, I wanted to steal you away from Long Feng, before he got his claws in you, as he's done with every Crystal Mage born in the Republic since the end of the war," Starling stated

Piper's eyes widened as her meeting with Long Feng came back to her, that feeling she'd gotten from him, that he viewed her as nothing more than a piece of property. "You met him didn't you?" Starling asked

Piper simply nodded, "I thought so," Starling continued, "You should know Piper, that no Crystal Mage has ever avoided his grasp, and he gives each a choice, either willing cooperation, or servitude."

"Servitude?" Junko asked, his voice wavering with concern

"If Piper had refused, she would have been kidnapped and dragged to some secret location, where no doubt she would have shared in Lark's torment," Starling explained. Piper's face had gone white, while Lark was looking at her out the corner of her eye, Dove and Aerrow were both horror struck by the revelation, but it was Stork who spoke next

"Wait, Piper's not the only Crystal Mage that's been born in the Republic since the war ended," he stated

"No she isn't," Starling replied, nodding, "There have been many others, most accepted Long Feng's offer willingly, and now live comfortable lives, seemingly separate from Long Feng's dealings, but at a snap of his fingers, they'll come running," she explained, "Those that don't accept, are either conditioned slaves... or dead."

Aerrow's fist clenched in anger, "And he wanted to do that to Piper!" he exclaimed

Starling simply nodded in reply, "That bastard," Aerrow growled

Dove reached out and placed a comforting hand on Piper's, who finally responded to her surroundings, seeing Dove's hand on hers, she looked up at her friend and gave her a small smile, before turning to Starling. "Looks like I made the right choice then," she said, a wry smile on her still pasty white face

Starling gave a small smile back, "I knew if you stayed you'd end up my enemy, or worse, after the help you gave us, and knowing what a nice person you were, I didn't want that to become your fate," she replied

"You know, you could have told me this when we had our chat, before you launched your attack on Long Feng's base," Piper stated

Starling chuckled, "Two problems, one there wasn't time to explain all this then, and two, would you have believed me if I did, considering you still thought Long Feng was a great guy and all at the time?"

Piper thought about it, then gave a dry chuckle, "Okay, fair point," she replied

Starling nodded, "What matters is you did side with us, and for that, and everything else you've done today, I'm extremely grateful," Starling said, smiling

Piper smiled back, "Your welcome," she replied

After a few moments silence, Lark spoke, "So what now?" she asked

Starling took a breath, "We wait for the extraction team, then head back to the resistance main base with them," she said, and before anyone could speak, Starling continued, "Grandmother will want to thank all of you personally for your help with getting Lark out," she continued, gesturing around at everyone, then she turned to Lark, "And whether you remember anything or not about your family Lark, grandmother is probably one of the few people who might be able to help you recover those memories."

Lark opened her mouth to say something, then closed it as a thought came to her, then she sighed, her eyes closing for several moments. When they opened, Piper had to do a double take, are they lighter, like a couple shades maybe?

Then Lark responded, "Ok, but I'll only go with you if Piper does," she stated firmly

Starling looked to Piper, "Well Piper, are you coming with us?"

Piper started as attention came back to her, "Well it's not like I have anywhere else to go, they probably got all our faces on camera, so we're likely considered enemies of the state at the moment," Piper replied, only slightly on the despondent side

Starling chuckled, "Well what if grandmother gave you some Crystal Mage training to make up for it?" she asked

Piper's eyes went as wide as dinner plates, "What... seriously!?" she exclaimed, to which Starling just nodded. Piper had already learned a lot from her self-studies, but to train under a master, and not just any master, but Master Cyclonis herself, the greatest, most skilled, and powerful Crystal Mage of the last century. Piper's face took on an expression of giddy joy

"You take that as a 'yes'," Aerrow said to Starling, who just chuckled, while Piper's cheeks went red with embarrassment

"What about you two?" Starling asked Dove and Aerrow, the two of them looked at one another, before turning back to answer her

"We'll, even though I'm still aiming to become a Skyknight, like my father, a Skyknight - a true Skyknight - would never allow the things the Republic have done to go unpunished. Even if it means I'll never get to wear the 'Wings of Freedom', I feel that this is the right thing to do, so count me in," Aerrow replied

"And you're going to need someone to patch up this idiot temeraire," while gesturing to Aerrow, "As well as others I'm sure, so I guess I'm in as well Capitaine," Dove added, while receiving an indignant look from Aerrow

Starling chuckled at that, before turning to the final two people in the room, "And what about you two, I'd understand if you want to part ways after the extraction team shows up."

Junko and Stork both looked at one another, before nodding to each other and turning back to Starling. "We've worked for the military and Long Feng for three years now, the idea that we may have helped – even in some small, obscure way – with what they've done, makes us sick, and just like Piper, where would we go, now that we're most likely enemies of the state," Junko answered

"Besides, Long Feng never respected my genius anyway, guy was a bastard through and through, so yea, he can go jump into the wastelands for all I care," Stork added

Starling smiled at that, "Ok, it's settled then, tomorrow, after we've determined whether or not the rest of my team made it out of the base, we'll join the extraction team, and head back to the main Cyclonian resistance base."

"Sounds like a plan," Lark agreed, smiling, something Piper was very happy to see

Starling nodded, then gave an almighty yawn, after recovering she continued, "For now though, I suggest we all get some sleep, though I would like to leave someone on watch."

Stork waved his hand, "The ship can do that for us, there's a proximity alarm system, I can set it, and if anyone gets too close during the night, it'll go off."

Starling smiled at that, "Can it detect ships or skimmers?"

Stork gave a devious smile, "Oh it could pick up a fly from a hundred paces if I told it too."

"Good," Starling replied, "Then set it to warn us if anyone approaches the Terra, we should be awake by the time the extraction team arrives, so we just need it for the night, when we're more likely to get enemies approaching the Terra."

Stork nodded, and went to the ship controls to begin setting things up, Starling meanwhile turned to everyone else, "As for the rest of us, let's find a bunk and get some rest, we've got a long journey ahead of us."

No one argued that point, and soon, everyone was tucked into a bed, Starling had taken the Captains room, she had tried to convince Lark to stay with her, but Lark had insisted on sharing with Piper, Dove and Aerrow both took a room together as well, and that left Stork and Junko in the only other finished bedroom. In just ten minutes, everyone was sound asleep, unaware, of the danger, that was soon to begin closing in around them

And that closes out Chapter 5, hope you all liked it, please leave a review if you did, as always constructive criticism is welcome, and I'll see you all next time

; )

French Translations

Connard = Bastard

Oui = Yes (Obvious one is obvious)

idiot temeraire = Reckless fool

Capitaine = Captain

Drat I missed 7 days between updates by a few minutes (fumes silently)