Now that everyone is decently captured, let's continue. ;)
Heart of Darkness...A Friendly Chat
In the hold of the cargo ship, Piper was bound to one the support struts. She was tied sitting with her back against the hull, her hands bound in front of her with her legs left free on the floor. Stork had been taken to one of the other compartments where, Piper hoped, they would at least stop his bleeding. Normally under these situations Piper would already be trying to free herself from her restraints, but she currently had someone silently watching her from under their cowl.
"What?" Piper said, she was uncomfortable enough without the icy stares from her captor. "At least say something about how silly we were for letting ourselves be caught in a trap. Gloat over how powerless we truly are under you might. Just say something instead of just staring at me."
"Why should I?" Cyclonis said in a tone that carried a hint of amusement. "I think you are quite already aware of all this. I'm just enjoying the sight of you, someone who is usually so confident, powerless and defeated." She let out a small chuckle before continuing. "It really is almost too enjoyable."
Piper felt anger rising in her, she let it show on her face as she glared at Cyclonis. "Enjoy it while you can, because..."
Cyclonis quickly interrupted her, her cowl unfolding as she began to mimic Piper's voice in a mocking tone. "Because Aerrow's still out there, and he and the rest of our squad will find a way to defeat you." Cyclonis resumed her usual tone as she continued to make fun of Piper. "Oh please, don't you ever get tired of optimism. I'm sure your pilot isn't very optimistic right now." She said, letting out another small chuckle.
Anger flared in Piper, she pulled at her restraints but they held her firmly. "Where is he!? Are you at least treating his wounds!?"
"Now Piper, please try to remain calm. If you anger me, I might just have to go relieve my tension on some poor helpless green animal." Cyclonis said in almost a laugh.
Piper stilled herself but her anger remained, and it showed on her face. "So," Piper began, wanting to change the subject. "why haven't you taken us back to the citadel yet?"
Cyclonis sighed a little before answering. "It seems I was a little to rough on the Merb. Once he's stable enough, we'll go to the citadel and begin the real fun."
"What do you have planned?" Piper asked hoping to a t least get some information on the situation. "Judging by the fact that you weren't even on the terra and your complete lack of interest as to how you citadel is completely out of power, I'm guessing you knew this was coming. But why wouldn't you do anything to stop it? What do you gain from all this?"
"Come now Piper." Cyclonis said still with amusement in her voice. "Do you really think I'd ruin all the surprises I have in store for you. But, I will tell you that I knew about this plan long before the device had even been placed on your ship. Did you really think I wouldn't notice that some of my database had been compromised? I swear those silly Council members in Atmosia are senile if they think they were the only ones with spies working for them."
"So you have spies on Atmosia?" Piper said, she needed to find out as much she could in hopes that maybe she could learn the spies' indities.
"Oh come on Piper, don't be naive." Cyclonis said in a mocking tone. "I turned one of your greatest sky knights, Carver, to my side with barely any effort. Did you really think I wouldn't have more? Such pompous arrogance, you weak simple minded fools deserve you fate!" Cyclonis spit out the last sentence showing her disgust at the people of Atmosia.
"So what's your plan?" Piper asked, thinking that in anger Cyclonis might let something slip.
Cyclonis quickly regained her composure. She began to light caress one of the tall crates next to her. "Oh I have big plans for all the people of the Atmos." She said in a somewhat far off voice as she looked at the crate she was lightly stroking.
Piper felt the hint of something ominous with the large crate with the way Cyclonis was reacting with it. As she began looking around the hold of the ship she noticed that there were at least a dozen similar crates. Most were the same height, but some were skinnier and others a bit shorter with a couple huge ones in the back. But they all had similar characteristics. They were all made of the same material and design scheme. Painted black with red numbers stenciled on the side. They all also had a monitoring device of some kind, Piper wasn't familiar with the displays so she couldn't make out their purpose.
"So what's in the boxes?" Piper asked snapping Cyclonis out of whatever fantasy she was having while caressing one of the containers.
"As I said before Piper, why ruin the surprise." She said looking at Piper with a slight laugh. "Besides, you'll see them soon enough."
There was suddenly a loud chirp from the door to hold, breaking the tension in the room. The door slid open revealing one of the Talons Piper had fought with earlier. "Master Cyclonis!" He said with a quick salute while at attention.
Cyclonis's face showed her annoyance at the intrusion on the fun she was having at Piper's expense. "What is it!?" She barked at the Talon.
"Master Cyclonis, we have stabilized the Merb and are awaiting your order to take of and land on the Citadel." The now nervous Talon said while still attention.
A smile spread across Cyclonis's face. "Then take off, I was tired of waiting anyway." The Talon saluted again the quickly moved away from the door, which shut after he left. "Time to get things ready for the coming visitors." Cyclonis said with dark amusement.
"What are these other visitors? You mentioned them before outside when you took me prisoner?" Piper said with mild confusion.
"A fool of a man wishes to make a name for himself and his bringing others lesser idiots with him." Cyclonis began to explain, her cowl now beginning to re-fold up around her head, covering her face in shadow. "They think they have attained an easy victory that will earn them a place in history. But all that history wll remember of this day is that it was the beginning of Cyclonia's expansion and eventual victory over The Atmos."
Piper felt her heart sink, she didn't know what was going to happen now. She could only stare up at her captor as she felt the ship around lift off the ground to bring her and Stork into the belly of the beast. And in front of her she no longer simply saw Cyclonis. What she was evil. Evil that looked down at her with almost glowing eyes. A faint string of purple energy seemed to dance across Cyclonis's eyes, but before Piper could get a look closer Cyclonis turned towards to leave through the cargo hold's door which opened as she approached.
She stopped at the doorway and looked over her shoulder at Piper. "Don't worry Piper I won't kill him or you, at least not yet. You will live long enough to witness the end of Atmosia's days. And then, when I have grown tired of torturing you and your meddlesome crew, only then will allow you to die." With that she went through the door, letting it shut behind her.
Piper stared at the door, almost expecting Cyclonis to return. But she didn't, Piper was left there completely weakened by the emotional impact of everything Cyclonis had said. She simply stared at the containers around her. Whatever was in them, Piper knew it was only the beginning.
Whew another chapter up and running. Might actually be able to keep these going pretty quickly now. Using a trick of listening to mood music to help me write. Review and let me know if helped. Later.