Author's note: Thanks to the three reviewers so far - not bad for an opening chapter in an esoteric fandom! And no, no 'Mary Sue' stories - I have too much fun exploring the characters in the series for that!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of "Storm Hawks", nor am I making any type of profit from this story. It is a work of fan fiction, for enjoyment only.
Chapter 2 - A New Plan
"This sucks!" exclaimed Finn in frustration, slinging his gloves to a far corner of the bridge as he stomped in.
"I understand your frustration, but we're here to help. If Thrush wants us to guard chicken coops in the north…" began Aerrow.
"The bandits attack a convoy of missile casings in the south! Come on, even I saw that one coming!" exploded the sharpshooter.
"I have to agree with Finn on this one," commented Piper in a more reasonable tone of voice, entering the bridge from the hangar deck. "I mean, I even pointed it out at the planning session last night."
Stork raised a finger. "She's right. She did." He looked around, then lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I think Thrush might have Denubian Mind Worms - first symptom is an inability to see the obvious."
Aerrow ignored the pilot, addressing Piper instead. "I know you suggested the convoy, and no one listened. Any suggestions on what to do about it?" Aerrow spread his arms in supplication.
"Mind worm repellant!" exclaimed Stork, producing an aerosol can and spritzing the air dramatically. When met by three glares, he crossed his arms, muttering, "I'm just sayin'…" under his breath.
Spreading out her own strategy map, Piper pointed to a warehouse in the east. "Well, in examining the possibilities for tonight, this seems the most likely. This storage area is receiving a load of unprocessed ore today…"
Finn squinted dubiously at the parchment. "I don't know; the attacks have never been two nights in a row. In fact, they are usually spaced out by several days…" When no one replied to his comment, the blonde glanced up to find everyone in the room, including Radarr, staring at him with open mouths. "What?!" he exclaimed defensively. "You know I'm right!"
Piper snapped her jaw shut with an audible click before replying. "Yes, you are…but you usually don't make such pertinent observations."
Finn preened, polishing his fingernails on his jacket. "Well, I don't like to brag…"
Aerrow chuckled, "Yes, you do." Turning back to Piper he continued, "But he does have a point." Stork, curious, examined her map as the conversation continued.
"Yes, but that's just it! Every time they establish a pattern, they break it and strike somewhere new. I suspect that's how they've avoided Captain Thrush's men so far." She pointed to her map. "That ore will only be stored for one night before it's scheduled to be shipped to Terra Atmosia. It's the perfect opportunity."
"Ummm, may I add a suggestion?" asked Stork, peering over her shoulder.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Let's not divulge our plans to Thrush at the meeting this afternoon; he'll just ignore you anyway. We'll accept whatever assignment he gives us, then cover Piper's warehouse in addition."
"Why would we want to do that?"
"Humor me. There are other reasons the Gnossian security force might not have caught the thieves."
Aerrow was taken aback. "You mean…a traitor?" he asked the Merb.
Stork frowned. "Let's say…a paid informant. I truly hope not, but it is a possible, if unpalatable, explanation."
Aerrow was silent, staring at the map. Then he nodded. "I'll take it into consideration."
--StmHks--
Not only had Captain Thrush made the same observation as Finn, he acted on it by giving most of his overworked men the night off. Unfortunately, he asked the Storm Hawks to take up the slack by covering four separate sites. After leaving the Gnossian security center, the team made their way back to the Condor for a quick planning meeting of their own.
Spreading out her map again, Piper pointed out their assignments. "Captain Thrush has a point about the crystal repository; despite being in the north, it is high risk target. Aerrow, you and Radarr should handle that. Junko, you take the grain storage silo, and I'll be at the shipping depot. Finn, since you have the fastest air skimmer, I'd like you to watch the bank, which is closest to our warehouse. That way…" she paused and stared at their carrier pilot, "I calculate that you can be there within eight-and-a-half minutes from the time Stork calls."
The Merb's head shot up from where he was studying the map, eyes wide and startled. "ME?," he squeaked. "You want me to watch the warehouse?"
"We've got four other assignments, Stork," pointed out Aerrow reasonably.
"Why don't I take one of those, then?"
"If there is an informant, they'll wonder why you're there instead of one of us…" began Piper.
"And then conclude that we were watching a fifth target," the pilot sighed. "I get it. I don't have to like it, though. All kinds of germs live in dusty old warehouses; I'll probably have an allergic reaction to dust mites!"
"Don't worry, Stork. Like Piper said, I'll be eight-and-a-half minutes away!" Finn slapped the hunkered form on the back, receiving a glare for his trouble.
"Why doesn't that reassure me?" muttered the pilot under his breath.
--StmHks--
A cold drizzle fell, making the already dark night seem even blacker. Nervously scanning his surroundings, Stork assured himself that he was alone before scurrying to the partially-covered side entrance to the warehouse. He glanced around once more before devoting himself to the lock before him. As this part of the mission was unauthorized, he had no official access to the building, and so was on his own. Lockpicking, however, was on his fairly long list of skills that the other Storm Hawks knew nothing about. Slipping a small packet of instruments from an inner pocket in his jacket, he was shortly rewarded with the snikt of a lock being drawn back. He allowed himself a small, evil smile before easing open the door and slipping into the deeper gloom of the warehouse.
The ore shipment was indeed being stored in the cavernous building, if the ceiling-high crates and gravel scattered on the floor were any indication. The pilot hugged the darker shadows created by the boxes as he methodically searched the structure for any other unauthorized visitors. Finally sure that he was alone, he chose a spot on one of the shorter stacks with a good view of both the front and side doors, carefully dusted the surface, then settled in to wait.
Finn, meanwhile, was bored to tears. After doodling "Finn is the Greatest" on a number of deposit slips, then folding them into paper airplanes and launching them into the nearby trash receptacle, he was at a loss. As he was alone on duty, there was no unsuspecting audience to regale with tales of heroism; in fact, no one to talk to at all. Aerrow had made it clear that the radios were to be used for emergency only, so he couldn't even check to see how his teammates were doing. Hmmm…with a good imagination…maybe he could practice his air guitar! He didn't care what that tentacled talent-scout thought - his air guitar beat Stork's morbid 'Doom' poetry hands down. Picking up his invisible instrument, he narrowed his eyes and strummed a few chords.
Unlike Finn, Junko had plenty of company. The merchant who owned the grain elevator clearly didn't trust the track record of the Terra's security force in dealing with the thieves, so he posted his own guards - twelve of them, no less.
"But Captain Thrush assigned this watch to the Storm Hawks…" Junko began.
"And we've all seen how well the Captain's security measures have worked so far!" interrupted the red-faced businessman. Noticing Junko's wide-eyed stare at his outburst, the man ran a shaking hand through thinning hair and forced himself to calm down. "Look, kid, nothing against you or your Storm Hawks…but a man's gotta protect his own interests, you know? Why don't you go guard something else tonight - I'll let Thrush know tomorrow that I've got things covered here."
"Are you sure? I could go help a friend…" asked Junko hesitantly. While he didn't like leaving his assigned position, it would give him the opportunity to check on Stork.
The merchant glanced around at the men bristling with weapons surrounding his silo, all answerable to him, and smiled. "Yeah, kid. Got it covered. Now, go."
The Wallop nodded once, then mounted his air skimmer and took off.
It took about twenty minutes of flying through the worsening rain before he caught sight of the Storkmobile parked in a gully on the far side of the warehouse, out of sight of the building. He set down next to it as quietly as possible, then turned off the engine before making his way into the structure.
Despite having been on duty for two hours with nothing more to report than the passage of a single small rodent across the main floor, Stork was more jumpy than ever. Experience had taught him that Piper was right 99 times out of 100, so if she thought there was a good chance this warehouse would be targeted tonight, he wasn't betting against her. Faced with this conviction, the silence seemed all the more ominous.
When he heard the side door quietly swing open and closed, he thought his heart might explode from his chest with its pounding. His eyes had long since grown accustomed to the gloom, whereas the new arrival hadn't had that luxury, and stood blinking just inside the doorway. Stork leaned forward on his perch, eyes straining to make out the details of the behemoth who had just entered…
Only to realize it was Junko. The Wallop hissed "Stork!" in a stage whisper that the carrier pilot could have sworn could be heard in the next terra. Throwing caution to the winds, he scurried down to floor level before his teammate could make another sound.
Junko jumped backwards as Stork appeared seemingly out of nowhere, finger to his lips demanding silence. Unfortunately, in doing so the Wallop tripped over a stray stone, sending it skittering into one of the nearby crates with a loud 'thunk'. The Merb slapped a palm to his face, covering his eyes, then took a deep, calming breath. When he finally pulled his hand away and glared up at his teammate, Junko shrugged and grinned sheepishly, hands outstretched.
Stork's shoulders slumped in defeat; it was physically impossible to stay angry at the big mechanic. Besides, no harm done. He shook his head, then put his finger to his lips again to indicate silence. He waited until Junko nodded his understanding before seizing his hand and pulling him towards his hiding spot. Suddenly remembering the still-open door, he turned to close it…
And the night exploded in a flurry of stars, followed by blackness.
TBC…..