AN: Here we go! First chappie! And guess what? It bites. Seriously, this is the worst chapter in the entire fic so PLEASE don't give up right away. I know it's boring and I know there's no action, and it's short, but wait! It gets really really really good!

Remember, WhispertheWolf had just as much a hand in this story as I did. Check out her profile here: (just remove the spaces)

h t t p : / / w w w . f a n f i c t i o n . n e t / u / 1 6 0 5 1 3 5 /

Also, I'd like to point out that while, yes, Proposal was sort of the pre-published look into this story, it's not necessarily the same fic. Cyclonis may have presented her treaty entirely differently in this universe, so don't feel you have to read Proposal or remember the details of it to read this fic. Also, just so you peeps roughly know the time this takes place, it's immediately pre-Exodus (as in, Exodus doesn't exist yet but all the SH bonds are formed with the people they meet on their missions prior). Anywho, make sure to review!

Chapter 1: Inside Information

"...That is the council's final word. It is in the interest of the Atmos Alliance that we accept the terms. The Storm Hawks... are encouraged to turn themselves in."

A glitch flew across the screen as the film wheel was cranked backwards harshly, the squeal of the audio track stuttering with the well-worn film. "...Storm Hawks... are encouraged to turn themselves in."

Again. He had to hear those words again.

"...turn themselves in."

"Aerrow?"

The sky knight started a bit at the projector when he heard his name called. He turned to see Piper standing in the doorway, one hand resting on the frame while the other gripped the air in front of her gently, her face the very picture of concern and uncertainty. "What are you doing?" she asked softly.

Aerrow sighed and mutely flipped the switch of the projector, shutting off its power."Nothing," he said, walking around the side of the couch and falling down upon the cushions. "Nothing important."

Not letting that answer pass in the slightest, Piper walked over to where Aerrow laid carelessly and sat down beside him. "You shouldn't be watching that," she said gently. "You'll just upset yourself."

Aerrow sighed dismissively with no real emotion. He didn't care. It didn't make any difference. Piper eyed him carefully, still concerned. Aerrow hadn't been himself lately. Then again, having your views and beliefs in everyone turned upside down would shake anybody. Just... Aerrow seemed to have taken it harder than the others. And why wouldn't he? He, who had given so much for the safety of many now who were debating turning against him.

Knowing there was nothing she could say, Piper merely gripped Aerrow's wrist softly, running her fingers over the back of his hand sadly. "Aerrow," she eventually began, but not knowing where to go, she let her sentence drop. They sat in silence for a while, Aerrow merely staring blankly at the screen, as though he were still watching the recorded broadcast of when Atmos decided to cooperate with Cyclonis.

"How?" he eventually asked the screen, barely moving his lips. "How did this happen?"

Piper sighed sadly. "They believe in the treaty, Aerrow," she said. "They believe in peace."

"No," he stated firmly, tilting his head in Piper's direction but still not looking at her directly. "They believe in Cyclonis."

Piper's face fell a little in gentle understanding. She wasn't going to argue.

"I do understand, Piper," Aerrow assured her, peering into her eyes. "And if it were anyone else... I may even consider it." He turned back to the screen with a hollow laugh on his face, his stubbornness and determination as clear as ever. "But this is Cyclonis we're talking about. She wouldn't do something like this. Not without a reason... or a plan."

"They say that Tundras – " but Piper was cut off by a cool chuckle from Aerrow.

"That excuse?" he asked sarcastically. "Piper, Cyclonis had control over those mines for years. She would have created her own stocks on Cyclonia. Why keep all her resources in one place? No... if that were the case why act so quickly? How could she have gotten that treaty out so fast?"

Piper sighed again, this time a little exasperated at Aerrow. "You're over-thinking this," she stated simply, as if scolding a mischievious child. "Cyclonis just probably didn't want to wait for her stockpile to drain. You know her. She's always planning ahead."

Aerrow sighed. "Maybe you're right."

Piper smiled playfully and crossed her hands behind her head, satisfied and leaning back against the couch. "Of course I'm right." Aerrow smiled up at her as she grinned. But then, a sudden thought occurred to him and his good humour which had come on so suddenly disappeared just as quickly. "You don't think they're right...?"

Piper's smile also faded, unpleasantly surprised that Aerrow would ask such a question and a little taken aback.

"Well... no... of course not," she said defensively. "I mean, I understand their viewpoint as well, but no one can deny that this decision was rushed into without much reflection. It was already agreed among us that we would look more into Cyclonis before arriving at anything... final." Piper stuttered a bit on the last word of her sentence, and Aerrow caught its meaning all too clearly. Yet he couldn't help but regain some of his good mood in being reminded that his team stood behind him.

"Still," he said, leaning back in the same way Piper had moments ago. "That doesn't really promise to be quite as easy as it used to, does it?"

Piper's face fell at the off-hand way Aerrow spoke about the issue... as if he didn't fully realize the extent to which the problem could spread. "Nobody has made any moves yet," she agreed. "But we have to tread carefully. That's why we've been staying in clear airspace these last couple of days."

Aerrow stared hard and almost fiercely at the wall in thought. "Just rumours..." he whispered softly. "But with that ring of truth. Piper, I don't want to mistrust our friends any more than you do, but I can't shake the feeling that..." Aerrow didn't want to say it, and Piper didn't need to hear it. She knew. It was only a matter of time before squads turned. But Aerrow suddenly rose from the couch, an old smile coming onto his face which warmed Piper's heart to see. It was the smile of an impending mission. Aerrow had a plan of action.

"Piper, call the others to the bridge. I have a course set in mind."

The team wasn't nervous, but there was a distinct tension in the air as they all gathered around the table on the bridge, Aerrow being the focus at the front. His mind was active, but there was an inner ease about the way he stood that calmed the others – a good quality for leadership.
"There's no sense in being subtle about it," Aerrow opened. "This situation is going to become a lot worse if we don't act now. How much of what is being said is actually rumours... I don't know. But what I do know is that we need some inside information. We need to know exactly where people stand. The council, the squadrons... getting the public view won't help much."

"What do you think we should do?" Finn asked, Radarr quietly mimicking the question in a small bark.

"We need to know who we can trust and what's being done about the..." Aerrow paused, searching for the right word. "...condition of the treaty. Granted, we agreed that we would look into Cyclonis' motives – if she even has any past what she has told the council – but first things first. I propose we consult Harrier."

The team looked a little surprised and uneasy about this sudden announcement, but Piper was the first to speak. "Aerrow, are you sure that's such a good idea? I mean..." she drifted off. None of them wanted to openly admit to their suspicions towards their friends, but Harrier was a different case. He was one of the knights to be included in the council's deliberation towards the treaty.

"I know it's risky," Aerrow said. "But Harrier is one of our oldest allies. He won't be quick to forget our aid on Terra Rex, and besides..." Aerrow hesitated again, not liking having to think on it. "If things turned out... not the way we'd expect, I doubt his heart would be in it." The team didn't look very reassured by these last words, but it was the best source available to them.

Piper was silent for a bit as she contemplated Aerrow's suggestion, but then turned to their pilot with confidence. "Stork, set a course for Terra Rex."

Harrier was waiting for them at the head of the grand table inside the dining hall of the stadium. As the Storm Hawks marched inside, the sky knight of Rex turned around at the sound of their footsteps. The rest of his team was absent, which Aerrow felt to be a good sign.

"Storm Hawks," Harrier greeted them warmly with a smile as they walked up beside him.

"Harrier," Aerrow said with a returning smile, shaking his hand and betraying hidden relief in his voice. "It's good to see you."

"And you," Harrier said in somewhat a posh manner, yet not without sincerity. "I feared that when you called it was due to a... darker business."

Aerrow nodded knowingly, but reassured Harrier all was well enough. "We've come because we need information," he stated. "We've kept ourselves separate from most people since the announcement, but we need to know what's going on. What do the squadrons think on all this?"

Harrier sighed sadly. "Unfortunately, that news is not so good. I have spoken with the council, as you know, and their position remains firm. They feel it is in the best interest of the alliance and of Atmos at large to abide by all terms of the treaty."

"I suspected as much," Aerrow said. "The question is... what do you think?" The tension spiked at Aerrow's rather sudden question, but his team knew that it was a sign of his faith that he would be so direct. Harrier hesitated, obviously a little uneasy at the partial accusation and took time to carefully choose his words.

"I cannot deny that the conditions which Cyclonis laid out are fair," he began. "Yet I will not place my faith in such questionable people. I remember perfectly well what happened the last time I made a deal with Cyclonians."

Aerrow and the rest of his team broke out in smiles at Harrier's words. They had chosen right to come here.

"What of the others?" Piper asked, more relaxed now and open to talking. "The Zeroes? The Neck Deeps? What are the other squads' views on all of this?"

"I have had... some... correspondence with them," Harrier began slowly, but Aerrow didn't like the look on his face.

"And?" the red haired knight prompted.

Harrier sighed. "Most are undecided. They are neither with you nor against you. They approve of the peace the treaty so easily promises, but they are not willing just yet to... commit."

"But will they?" Aerrow asked more forcefully.

"...I can't say..." Harrier almost whispered in regret. "Although... I feel it very likely."

Aerrow's face fell as well as the rest of his team's. This was confirmation. Their friends... they were turning their backs on the Storm Hawks.
"How far will they go?" Aerrow asked quietly and with dead seriousness.

"Some... may search for you."

Aerrow sighed and looked away from Harrier for a moment, shaking his head. But then, his spirit relit and he looked at Harrier powerfully.

"Is there anyone?" Aerrow asked urgently. "Anyone besides yourself?"

At this, Harrier smiled. "I am pleased to say that of the squads I have spoken with, there is one squadron who appear to remain your ally. The Rebel Ducks will do nothing to thwart you. In fact... they may even assist you."

"What about you?" Aerrow questioned, though glad to hear they could rely on one squad other than the Guardians. "Can you offer us any aid? We wish to investigate Cyclonis and the treaty... Maybe find out if there's anything more to this than it may initially seem."

At this Harrier turned his head away, a little uneasy. "I'm afraid there isn't much I can do."

"What?" Finn protested. "But, dude! You just said you were on our side!" Piper nudged Finn hard in the ribs with her elbow, forcing him to be quiet. Finn bent over, rubbing the area just under his chest, pouting all the while.

However, the comment left its effect upon Harrier. "Rest assured, I am your ally. The problem lies in my position with the council. They have confidence in my reliability but only as long as I pretend to stand by their decisions."

"It's just the council , though," Aerrow tried to reason. "Surely it shouldn't be that difficult."

"It isn't just them, though," Harrier said. "Since the fall of the Red Eagles, Atmosia has looked to the Guardians as their primary substitute. However..." Harrier paused a moment and his face darkened. "It was only a temporary position. The Red Eagles have found themselves a new sky knight."

"What?" Piper asked, not having heard about this event at all. "Who?"

"I don't know," Harrier confessed. "Some new bloke straight out of the academy. That is unimportant, though the consequences of it are all too strong. The return of their true squad means that my influence with the council has severely diminished. I'm afraid that if I were to push my views on them... it would not end well. No, I remain certain that I can be of better use to you by staying close to Atmosia. I'll learn what I can, and alert you at any new developments."

Aerrow placed a hand on Harrier's shoulder, smiling up at him. "We understand. Thanks for everything, Harrier."

Harrier smiled down at Aerrow, a sudden idea flickering to life behind the older knight's eyes. "I can be of some assistance, however..." Harrier proceeded to walk a few steps down the length of the table, paused at a pile of assorted papers, and pulling out one of a map. "There is a largely unknown terra to the far south of here," he said, indicating its position on the map while Piper hurried close, the rest of the team following behind. "It is called Terra Latebra. Head there if you seek refuge. No squads will be able to find you at that location. Although..." Harrier paused for a moment, while giving the map to Piper. "I must emphasize that you first visit the Ducks. As I said, they will be willing to help you. I really must stress on that point."

Aerrow was a little taken aback at how concerned Harrier seemed for them, but smiled at him all the same. "Don't worry," he reassured Harrier. "It'll be a good idea to restock on supplies before we make our next move. We'll be sure to take your advice and stop off at both Terra Gale and Terra Latebra."

"I am pleased to hear it," Harrier said with a large smile.

"We won't burden you any longer," Piper said, directing a thankful smile at Harrier. "Thank you for everything. We won't call upon you again unless it's urgent."

"Until then," Harrier noted, as he dismissed the team. "I wish you the best of luck."