Thank you for your review and patients. I have trouble trying to get the pace of the story right. Anyway, on with chapter 2.

Storm Hawks is (c) by Nerd Corp

I own nothing save for Squall

Mention of Terra Calypso, created by PinkPanther9.7 (hope you didn't mind)

-----

Chapter 2

The Captain Arrives

Piper awoke with a gasp, nearly falling out of her bed. She glanced around her, seeing that she was in her room upon the Condor. The specialist sighed with relief. "It was just a dream," she told herself. This dream, however, had been recurring over the past few weeks. Piper considered it's because of her father, or that spire. It has been over seven years since that day she met Aerrow, the day they made a promise to each other. And as they promised, they became a team, along with Finn, Junko and Stork. Yet, even now, they had not found any clue of his whereabouts. The spire she remembered seeing all those years ago…had vanished from the quadrant where she found Aerrow. It was never found since.

And what of the ship? Was it the same one that attacked Aerrow and the others? She found it very likely. But just like the spire, it was never seen since that day.

Piper contemplated about speaking to Aerrow about her dreams, but felt she didn't want to burden him with it until she had more information on what it could mean.

The specialist hopped out of bed, getting herself dressed and ready for a new day of adventure.

She found the other were already awake, set on the bridge doing their own little things. Junko and Finn were having a debate over a magazine article, of what Piper can only imagine.

"I'm telling you, Junko," Finn said, showing the Wallop the magazine. "This guy's awesome! He traveled the entire Great Expanse on a Skimmer, and lived to tell the tale."

"But Finn," Junko argued. "It says right hear this guy's a pirate. You know pirates aren't always truthful. So how do we know he's not lying?

"Who cares?! It makes for an awesome story, dude! Man I wish I could meet him, just once."

Piper shook her head, leaving the blonde to continue his daydreaming. She glanced around, and noticed that Aerrow wasn't here, or Radarr. "Um, Stork. Where's Aerrow?"

The Merbian helmsman glanced away from the controls. "A hail beacon was located on the grid about half an hour ago. I told him it could be a trap, but Aerrow went on ahead to scout the area. Haven't heard from him since…could have run into a school of ravaging Sky Sharks, or fell in battle with the Talons, or worse…he could have left us all and joined the Cyclonians."

"I highly doubt it's any of those, Stork," Piper replied, use to the Merbian's paranoid pessimism. "I'm sure Aerrow's just fine." It's not like it was important. If it were, he wouldn't have gone off on his own.

"Incoming transmission," Stork replied, as the yellow light began to flash. "Prepare yourselves. It could be the Raptors gloating on how they've just mutilated our illustrious leader, and we're next. Or it could be a Talon squadron wanting to hear our last words before they blow us to kingdom come, or even…"

"It could just be me, Stork," Aerrow replied from the speaker.

"Oh," the Merbian helmsman replied. "Well, then I guess there's nothing to worry about…for now."

The Sky Knight continued. "Storm Hawks, we have our assignment for today. An important supply shipment is making its way to Atmosia to aid in the efforts of the war against Cyclonia. You can be sure those Talons will try to take a shot at it. So we need to guard this shipment until it reaches Atmosia. Piper, Junko, I'll need you to rendezvous with me on the cargo ship. We'll keep a scout out."

"Right," Piper and Junko said at the same time.

Finn, you're with Stork on cannon fire."

"Oh, yeah!" Finn shouted, pumping his fist.

"Oh, boy…" Stork replied, not so eager with the news.

"And Piper," Aerrow added. "There's someone on board who would like to speak with you."

Piper was a little stunned by this. "Me? Who would want to speak with me?"

"It's…well, it's your mother."

"Mother?" she repeated, her eyes wide with shock. She's on board? "Why does she need to speak to me?"

"She wouldn't tell me." There was a pause, as if he was trying to word the next part right. " 'It was for your ears only,' she said."

That didn't sound good, Piper thought. Her mother was never keen when her daughter took up with Aerrow and the others to become a squadron nearly a year ago, and at the age of 14, no less. Sense that day they where never quite on good speaking terms.

"Wait…" Finn came in, interrupting Piper's thoughts. "You mean Piper's mom…our academy teacher, Nightingale? That woman?" Piper nodded absently. "Whew! It's a good thing I'm staying on board with by good buddy, Stork, right?"

"Yeah," Stork replied grimly, his left eye twitch ever so slightly. "Oh joy."

The Angelo, Atmosia's flagship captained by the High Scholar, Nightingale. It was on this same vessel Piper first met Aerrow, and considered one of Atmosia's finest vessels. Nearly twice the size of the Condor, The Angelo is fitted for cargo and military transport. It is not a battle cruiser, though. Fitted only with two grapple blasters for hauling, this transport relies on militants on Skimmers to defend her. So it wasn't really that unusual for the ship to hail a nearby Sky Knight squadron to aid them in their journey.

On board, Piper and Junko met up with Aerrow and Radarr in the hangar. Their leader look slightly unsettled, at least from what Piper could see from his face. Her mother must have said something to him.

"She's waiting for you up on the bridge," he said. "You should talk with her."

"Aerrow," Piper started. She never did like it when he was this way, trying to stay profession when something is troubling him. "Please, tell me. Did my mother say something to you?"

He didn't answer, and Piper knew that's exactly what happened. It obviously had something to do with her, and placed their leader on the spot.

"Piper," Aerrow spoke finally, placing a gentle hand on her shoulders. "Just talk with your mother. She is worried about you."

There was a fine line between worrying and smothering, she thought grimly. She will talk with her mother, and she will find out what she said to Aerrow, if she had to drag it out of her.

"Junko, Radarr, come with me," Aerrow said to his copilot and mechanic. "We'll fly out ahead to do some scouting. Piper…" he added, with a look of concern. "Just listen to what she has to say is all."

She found her mother on the bridge, garbed in her usual High Scholar garments and robes, as professional looking as she always has. She did not even look away from her station when her daughter entered the room. "Piper," she greeted. "It's been ages since you last spoke to your own mother, dear. Why is that?"

"And hello to you, too, mother," Piper replied coarsely. Already she regretted ever coming up here. "Aerrow told me you had something to say, so what is it?"

"Ah, Aerrow," Nightingale repeated, as if hearing that name brought back a certain memory. "It concerns your aquantense with the young 'sky knight.'" Piper did not like how she emphasized the sky knight in her speech. "Understand that the Storm Hawks are not an official squadron of the Council. As such, you, and everyone involved with this squadron receive no backing from Atmos, or any other 'official' sky knight squadron."

"What are you getting at mother," Piper replied, nonchalantly.

"The point is, your squadron have up to this point done a swell job protecting Atmos. But there will come a time when your squad won't be there for you, Piper. Aerrow won't be around to save you when you're in a pinch. And that thought alone has me concern for you whenever you go off with your friends on some unknown and dangerous adventure."

Piper knew where this was going. "You want me to leave the Storm Hawks? Is that what you're trying to say, mother."

Nightingale said nothing, confirming Piper's suspicions. It wasn't just coincidence that she happened to be in the same quadrant as they were. "Was this the only reason you hailed us, mother? To try and convince me to leave?"

Her mother chuckled lightly. "I meant what I said about needing your help, dear. I've just return from an excavation from Terra Amazonia. A supply of fuel crystals was found and we are delivering them to the Council. Cyclonians, pirates, and other ruffians will more than likely attack us before we make it to Atmosia. It was merely coincidence that you and your sky knight were nearby to lend a hand."

"I don't buy it," she replied coldly.

Nightingale did not say anything, simply shrugged. "You are free to assume what you will, daughter. But listen to my offer. Leave the squadron, and come back with me to Atmosia. Finish your studies and become a scholar like you wish. You are more than capable of fulfilling that dream, my child."

And there it was, the bait to lure the bird from her nest. Her mother wished for her to return and finish her studies, away from any of the dangers of the outside world. To shut her away and never let her go. "This is about father, isn't it, mother?"

Nightingale stood stiff and the helm, her heart aching from the memory of her lost husband. "There is nothing to be done about him, child. It has been more than seven years, since word came from him. He is gone."

"I won't believe that until I see for myself, mother!"

The scholar stared at her daughter, slightly hurt by her raised voice. "You don't understand…"

"I understand completely, mother!" Piper continued, not lowering her voice. "You're afraid of what would happen to me if I continued on as a Storm Hawk, that you would never hear from me again, like father. Mother, the reason I became a Storm Hawk to begin with was so I had a way to find him, or what happened to him! I made a promise, mother! A promise to Aerrow. I would be there for them, just as they were always there for me! And there is nobody, nor anything in this world, that will alter me from that promise!" She turned; ready to leave, before adding, "If you'll excuse me, mother. My crew needs me."

Atmosia, the center of all Atmos, home to the sky council and the main stream of goods and trade. While the Angelo is making it way to their destination, one ship in particular has set it sights upon the skyline docks. It's captain gazed out upon the helm, his blue hair and dark brown bandanna waving in the midmorning breeze as he sets the docks into his sights, until said bandanna fluttered over his gray eyes, momentarily blinding him. His attire, rugged, brown and warn, pulled at him as he tried to brush the cloth out of his sight, with little success. He did succeed however, and tried to maintain his calm composure, only to realize his ship, which incidentally was only big enough to hold a single skimmer, was almost out of fuel. With nary a word, the young man made to his skimmer, firing up and set off, leaving his departed ship falling into the clouds below.

He didn't give it a second thought, however, as if abandoning over worn ships were as common as dinner. He landed his skimmer, switching back to skimmer mode as he landed on the docks, much to the confused looks of passerby's. He halted, looking back at were his ship disappeared to, waiting. Finally, and distant rumble came from the clouds, and the man nodded in satisfaction, shrugging. Ignoring the glances that everyone was giving him, he revved up his skimmer and set to the town, with hardly anyone knowing what exactly happened.

The flight to Atmosia turned out to be a safe one, even with the Storm Hawks assisting the Angelo, and both she and the Condor made it to the skyline docks with little trouble. While Junko and Radarr went to aid with unloading the crystal, Aerrow went in search of his crystal specialist. Ever since she spoke with her mother, she was very distant from the squad. He took it to mean her chat with Nightingale did not go so well.

He found her on the top deck, staring out into the sky, unconsciously fiddling with the necklace around her neck. She still misses her father, he thought, sympathy showing in his eyes. He didn't say a word, but came up beside her, leaning on the rail and staring out with her. "Hey," he said.

She gave him a quick glance, a half smile, and said, "Hey."

It was a few more minutes before Aerrow spoke again. "I take it your talk with your mother didn't go so well."

She scoffed, turning away from Aerrow. "She doesn't understand why I do this, Aerrow. I'm a part of your team because I chose to be. I knew of the dangers, even when we were eight, but I knew it would be even worse if I did nothing. She just can't realize that."

"Piper," Aerrow began, "your mother is only concern about you. You do realize that, don't you?"

"And do you realize what she's asking me to do, Aerrow?!" Piper snapped.

Aerrow was taken aback by her harshness, and found he couldn't speak for a moment. Realizing what she just did, she softened and lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Aerrow. It's just…she can be so frustrating at time. I just…"

"Piper," Aerrow tucked his hand and lifted her chin so she could look him in the eye. "There's more troubling you. I know it."

She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Aerrow must have known about her restless nights. "It's…it's about a dream I've been having over the past few weeks. A dream about the day you and I first met."

Aerrow nodded, remembering it well.

"But there was more." She glanced down, clutching at the crystal on her necklace. "I keep seeing that ship in the dark clouds, and a bright glow in the distance. And a voice, creeping through my head."

The sky knight glanced over at Piper in concern. "You think it means something?"

"I can't be too sure, but I have a feeling it has to do with my father. That's all I can think of."

The sky knight fell silent.

"I…" Piper began, "I think I need some time alone to think." She moved to leave, but Aerrow caught her by the arm.

"Piper, just remember. You're never alone in this. You can tell me anything."

She smiled, resting a hand on his, thanking him for his kind words, but went off. She had to clear her mind, to get her priorities straight before she could talk with her leader again.

The Angelo crew continued to unload the shipment, with the help of Junko, Finn, Radarr, and soon Aerrow. The group then began their trek to deliver the goods to the council, leaving the flagship guarded by a handful of Atmosian guards. As the dock became busy with alls sorts of trades, one particular individual was scanning through the ships, studying each one to see which he fancies. Needless to say, it was the same individual whose ship went down into the Wastelands. He was indeed in the market for a new ship, and he fancied the Atmosian cruiser that just came to port. Indeed, the ship is in good shape. Lacks any real weaponry, but that can be remedied. This vessel would indeed be perfect for the likes of him.

Leaving his skimmer where it was, the man strides forward to the docked ship for a closer inspection, swaying slightly as if he had too much ale. He disregarded the guards, walked right pass them, to their own flabbergast. The turned and immediately block his way on board the vessel.

"Where do you think you're going?" They asked, gripping their energy staffs tight. "This ship is off limits to anyone without permission."

The blue haired man stared at them for a moment before speaking. "Well that's very kind of you to give me such permission. I will not abuse my privilege and will inform you of any ruffians to try to make off with her." He then continued on toward the ship, but was stopped once more by the two guards. "Seems to be a misunderstanding, I fear. I just can't help but marvel at such a beautiful vessel."

"Well, it is a marvel," one of the guards agreed. "The Angelo's one of the fastest cruisers in all of Atmos. For a ship its size, even the Condor would have a run for its money."

"The Condor," the man repeated. "The one that fell in the battle of Cyclonia nearly ten years ago, you mean?"

"Where have you been?" the second guard replied. "The Condor is now under ownership of the new Storm Hawks squadron."

"Interesting," he said, stroking his blue goatee. "So a ship that small and fast has the capacity to out maneuver any ship."

"Not as well as the Angelo though. It's got size and speed at its disposal, able to outrun any ship in the quadrant."

"I've heard of a ship, though," the man stated, leaning in close. "Neigh unmatchable. The Albatross."

Both guards laughed. "The Albatross is not a real ship, bud. Only a ghost story told to naughty little brats to keep them shut up."

"Ah," he exclaimed. "But how do you suppose such stories came about, if there weren't a hint of truth to them, eh?"

Both guards seized laughing, staring at the man in confusion. "You're saying…that it's real?"

"As real as you and I are, mate," he smiled.

The first guard stared at him quisetively. "Who are you?"

"Me? I'm known by many names, mate. But you can call me Captain Squall."

Piper glanced back at the terra as her Helescooter flew through the air. She couldn't help but think about what her mother had said. And what terrified her, is that she might accept the offer. She felt she couldn't do such a thing to the others, though. Leaving them would be to heart retching for her, with all that they went through. She just couldn't see the guys able to handle themselves without her. She stared down at the necklace, fiddling with the crystal. There was also the thought of her father, and that dream. The crystal was the key, but how. In all the notes she read, not once was there any mention of this crystal in the text.

Suddenly the crystal began to glow dimly, as Piper looked at it with startling concern. What was happening? The crystal jolted down, however, as if it tripled in weight. Just like in her dream, she realized. She struggled to stay in her seat, but the necklace continued to pull her down, until her grip was lost on the handles, and she began to plummet down toward the clouds.

"And that's how I got the inhabitants of Terra Calypso to help me with a ship." Squall finished, leaning on his skimmer.

"Amazing," was all the guards could say. Until they glance out into the horizon at a falling figure. They then shouted "civilian! Fell off her skimmer!"

Squall jerked his heard around and found what they were saying was true. A girl had fallen off her helescooter, plummeting into the clouds below. "You gonna save her?" He asked the guards. They both shook their heads, stating they couldn't drive a skimmer. "Some guards you are," he muttered, and revved his skimmer to life, taking off the docks and plummeting through the clouds toward the girl. He kept the wings tucked into, using gravity to catch up with the lass. He grabbed her by the waste, noticing the Storm Hawk symbol on the back of her shirt, and pulled her onto his skimmer, triggering the wings on his skimmer and pulling up back through the clouds onto the skyline dock. Once on lane, he halted the skimmer, and laid the almond skinned young lady on the deck. The two guards huddled close, as Squall checked her arms, her legs, and her head to see if anything was broken.

His eyes came upon the necklace she wore, and the blue crystal. He frowned, recognizing the stone. He met with the girl's tangerine eyes, and he felt he seen this girl before somewhere.

"Where did you get this?" he asked.

Before she could reply however, a golden energy blade was at his throat. "On your feet, pirate," Harrier, leader of the Rex Gaurdians, commanded.