As the Storm Hawks wandered through the market of Terra Saharr, Stork's eyes nervously darted from person to person. He had been walking along with the others, desperate to keep pace with them. Aerrow and Piper shared a look as they watched him grow more and more nervous as they walked between the vendor's booths.

"Stork, it's okay, really... no one is gonna hurt you... not as long as we're here..." Piper reassured him, knowing it would make little difference.

"Oh, you say that now, but..." He let that idea hang in the air as he spotted something he wanted. He ran up to Aerrow, stuttering excitedly.

"Can I help you?" The redhead said nervously as the Merb clung to him.

"That... vendor over there... he's got a brand new MS-337!" He finally spoke coherently, nearly yelling as he did so.

"And?" Piper stepped in, not sure where he was going.

"The Condor needs a few... upgrades... that we've never been able to afford... until now... we have to get it, our lives could be at stake without it!" He pleaded with the Sky Knight as Aerrow tried to break free from his strong grip. He groaned slightly once he'd done so.

"Stork, I dunno... it looks..." He took a look at what Stork had pointed at, and his eyes widened with excitement.

"Oh, yeah... it really is a new MS-337!" The redhead locked eyes with the Merb, and they both ran up to Piper excitedly.

"We have to have one!" They said in unison. Piper raised an eyebrow.

"What's it even do, guys?" She hadn't the slightest clue what it was.

"It a scanner, purpose built for both detecting enemies and navigating in foul weather! I always intended to get an upgrade for the Condor. But, since we could never afford to buy a new scanner..." Stork droned loudly, not realizing how loud he was. A passing patron shushed him, and the still-excited Merb softened his voice. He smiled sheepishly as the patron huffed indignantly and continued on. Stork stared at him with one eyebrow raised as he walked by. Suddenly, a hooded figured jumped through the crowd, several Third Degree Burners on his tail.

"'ey, stop, thief!" They tried as best they could to catch him, but they weren't fast enough. Stork stuck his foot out and tripped the fleeing felon, who promptly got up and took a swipe at Stork with a previously hidden dagger. Stork backpedalled, keeping him at bay as best he could, desperately fighting off his attacker. Finally, he managed the wrest the weapon from him, and, pulling off his hood and pointing his finger in the person's face, he began ranting about how he could've been killed.

"Have you lost your mind!? You could've killed me! And what gives with the stealing!? I can't believe...!" He suddenly stopped midsentence. The others came over to see what was going on.

"Stork, what's the matter?" Piper said as she came up beside him. As she turned to look at Stork's hoodless attacker, she gasped softly.

"He's a she... and she's a Merb..." He said almost under his breath.

Author's Note: Dun, dun, dun!

(clears throat) sorry... and it's a shorty, I know... but, if I tell you what happens now, it'll ruin the surprise...