(Chapter written by Goldspark1 and edited by me.)
Aerrow called his team to the bridge. Finn, Junko, Piper, even Radarr all surprisingly standing with their feet clipped together and chests puffed out in almost in a military salute. Though in the case of Radaarr, only coming up to everyone's waist. Even Stork would look over occasionally when at the wheel of the carrier. Such a scene brought a grin to his face.
"Thank you all for coming. After our recent mission in Gale. Liberating them from Cyclonian control, we had help from an unexpected source. Jack."
Jack the teen looked nervous to suddenly be the center of attention yet he deserved it. No casualties taken in freeing the granddaughter, shutting down the factory, freeing the sky knights, and giving everyone hope with defeating Dark Ace. A victory if ever there was one.
"Jack endured beatings, hard work, and humiliation yet never broke his will. Staying true to the plan and helping us into the base. For this reason, I nominate Jack…er Darby, to be the newest member of the Storm Hawks. Does anyone have any objections?" Jack's jaw slacked as he looked at Aerrow. Me? A Sky Knight? He wondered for a moment.
"Were doomed either way. May as well be less doomed," Stork monotoned.
Finn let out a chuckle. Rubbing his hands together, "Oh, ho, ho, ho. I know exactly how to get my revenge."
"Come on, I thought we were over that," Jack complained. He still couldn't believe Finn wasn't over that.
"You almost hurt this," Finn gestured to his blond hair and face. "Robbing all the girls of Atmos of such a great piece of art."
Piper knocked Finn over the head with the blonde doing a light hey, "I have no problem with another guy on board."
Aerrow and the rest turned to Junko who was quiet, "Oh, um. Sure. I don't have a problem if he wants to join. Just…um…is you name Jack or Darby?"
"Both. My full name is Jack Darby. First name is Jack and last name Darby. My family name."
"Family name?" Piper asked.
Jack nodded, "Yeah. Don't you guys have last names?"
Everyone answered the same. Aerrow, Finn, Junko, Stork, Piper all said no. Even Radarr was scratching his head with a chipmunk squeak. I now understand how Ratchet feels explaining anything to Miko.
Jack crossed his arms, "Well, my last name tells you my family one. Is used to help tell people apart who have the same name or who you are related to."
Piper asked Jack, "If you don't mind, where are you from? You did not dress like Grandpa Wren in the Gale. Nor do you have their accent."
Jack looked around the room in a slight panic. Everyone's eyes on him to answer. Then after a sigh, "I'm from Earth. Specifically, Jasper, Nevada."
"Nevade. Sounds cool," Finn said. Giving a thumbs up.
Finn and Miko would definitely get along. He sighed. "Nevada," Jack corrected.
Piper breaking off to go to the circular desk in the heart of the ship. "I've never heard of such a place. Can you show me on a map?"
Jack's eyes looked to the metal floor of the bridge, "You won't find it on Atmos because Earth is a separate planet…"
"WHAT?" Everyone yelled.
"Or dimension…" Jack added in a whisper.
"We have an alien!" Stork shouted. Running from the wheel to grab something from a shelf. Quicking grabbing the cylinder before shaking it and with no subtly began spraying Jack with it.
"Ack. Come on," Jack whined, recognizing it as disinfectant. Taking cover from Stork's attack, "If I was carrying the Black Death, spraying me now isn't going to help anyone."
"Piper?" Aerrow turned to her. The question unneeded to be asked.
"We have all been exposed to him for over two days and no one has gotten sick. Still, recommend a check up at our next stop for all of us when we set down."
"Good enough for me," Aerrow said. Then walking over to Stork and Jack. Giving the helmsmen a look that told him to back off which he reluctantly did. Spraying himself with what was left in the can. Then facing Jack and holding out his hand, "As leader of the Condor and Storm Hawks, I welcome you to the squad Jack Darby."
"Oh, I didn't know you also shook hands here," Jack said. Shaking Aerrow's gloved hand.
"Everyone, introduce yourself," Aerrow said backing off.
"Hi. I'm Junko. Or well, you probably already knew that." Junko said. Also walking up and shaking Jack's hand. Aerrow had to cover his mouth from laughing as Jack's eyes widened in pain from the handshake. His human hand almost completely swallowed up by the Wallop.
"I'm Piper. Nice to meet you," Piper said. Also shaking hands.
Stork did not even bother turning from the wheel. Simply raising his hand over his head, "I'm Stork. Pilot."
"Uh, sure," Jack said towards the driver.
Radaar was next who jumped onto the black shirt the teen was wearing. Climbing him like a tree before offering up his paw to be shaken which Jack did.
"That there is Radarr, my wingman. He helps fly my skimmer into battle and an incredible sense of smell. Though do not step on his tail. He will bite you."
Finally, there was Finn who had an evil smile. Strolling forward with a look that promised pain. "Names Finn. And don't worry new guy. I'll treat you just like when I joined the Storm Hawks."
"Sure. Would hate to feel like I'm special," Jack nervously laughed. Shaking Finn's hand.
For the next week, Jack was told the ins and outs of the Condor. The name of the carrier they were standing on. With each day spending time with a member of the squad. For the first person was Junko the alien. The two of them in an empty room with what appeared to be engines welded together by a metal pole. While Jack should be focusing on the tour, his eyes would constantly drift to Junko's horn. The horn coming out of the nose that looked quite painful to get hit by. The structure of his face similar to a rhino.
"What are you looking at?" Junko looked at Jack.
"Sorry," Jack apologized. "Just…never seen a Wallop before."
"Eh," Junko waved him off. "Were not much different to you guys. We just eat more."
"You also look like you can bench press a mountain," Jack smiled
"He, he, yeah," Junko rubbed his shoulder. "Am not that strong. I'm still the muscle of the group but just because that is my job does not mean others can't pull their weight."
"Wait, I have to lift weights?" Jack whined.
"Yeah. You didn't expect to join the Storm Hawks and keep those noodle arms of yours." Junko walked over to the two engines held together by a pole. Casually lifting the bar with one hand before setting them into a corner. A light thud vibrating through the metal floor.
Junko then grabbed another metal pole with two metal…objects attached to the ends. Looking about the weight of twenty pound dumbbells. Bringing it over to Jack to grab with the boy feeling the weight.
"Huff," Jack grunted.
"Well start out small for your first workout. Now, hold out your arms and pull back."
Jack did as request. Holding out his hands with the improvised bar and raising the bar to eye level before bringing it back down again. He did this for ten reps before Junko told him to do squats. Bending his knees for ten and explaining you need to give your other muscles a chance to rest between reps. Jack switching back and forth four times before dropping the weight and wiping excess sweat off his forehead.
"All right, time for sit-ups," Junko smiled encourage to the lightly panting teen.
"This" Jack huffed, "is almost as bad as that Cyclonian factory."
"Oh, don't be dramatic. You've only exercised for ten minutes. Your already halfway there. Now, use that bar to steady your feet and start raising your shoulders."
Jack did as Junko said. Getting on the floor lying down and putting his toes under the bar to steady himself. Then started raising his chest and going down repeating the exercise ten times before panting.
"Doing good. Rest for two minutes and do ten more," Junko's happy attitude only seemed to depress Jack who was by now having his black shirt getting soaked with sweat.
"Ten more reps," Jack asked.
"No, just ten more sit-ups. Is all about starting slow and working your way up. After this is jumping jacks."
"Oh," Jack panted, "Okay. I can do that."
"Jack did manage to finish another ten sit ups. His heart was beating so loudly that he could feel his chest vibrating yet pushed on. After all of that, the jumping jacks were the easiest. Simply needing to clap his hands together while stretching out his legs. After thirty, Junko held out his hand to tell him to stop.
"We might make a Sky Knight out of you yet. Do this exercise every morning. Adding a jumping jack and push up every day."
"What…what about weekends." Jack huffed.
"You can take those off but no skipping exercise on weekdays. Is all about building positive habits."
After saying goodbye to Junko, Jack immediately raced to the shower. Glad to be rid of his black shirt and immediately start washing away the sweat on his skin. Despite still feeling a bit exhausted, he was determined to meet the rest of the crew. The next person on his list being Finn. He just hoped the guy was not as evil as his voice suggested.
"All right new guy, give me a salute," Finn said with a smile.
"We have salutes?" Jack asked.
"Not important. What is important is that for the next four hours, you are my underling. That means you have to do everything I say. Starting with," Finn went over to the side of the hanger with the simmers. Grabbing a bucket and mop before handing them out to Jack to take. "Cleaning the entire hanger floor. I don't want to see a scrap of metal on the floor when I'm done."
"And what will you be doing while I'm cleaning?" Jack asked. Taking the buckek and mop and getting to work cleaning the floors.
"Supervise, of course," Jack turned around an in amazing speed, Finn had already pulled out a beach chair complete with a table next to him with a drink of what looked like lemonade. Jack could only stare in awe at how fast he moved to get that set up. He only turned around for a few seconds.
"Okay. But you have to promise to let that thing about the stick go." Jack said.
"Aww. Okay," Finn agreed. Taking a sip from his drink as Jack got back to work. Turns out this world was similar to his own in some ways. Dirt and grime did seem to get everywhere whenever machinery and people were around. Ink puddles. Exhaust stains. There was even a drop or two of blood on the ground. In other words, another day at Knockout Burger.
For one hour, Jack worked on getting the flight deck as clean as possible. Only bothering the relaxing teen to ask where to get new water. He thought about asking the blonde for help but if this got him to finally stop picking on him for almost taking his head off, this was a worthy sacrifice. No matter how tempting it was to take the bucket and slam it onto his sleeping head.
"FINN," a loud, feminine voice said entering the hanger. Jack and Finn turning to see Piper strolling forward with a glare. "Aerrow told you to clean the hanger WITH Jack. Not alone. Now get off your butt."
"But everyone was happy! Jack got to pay me back for almost killing me and I get to take it easy," Finn said but did follow orders and slowly. Much more slowly than when he grabbed the beach chair. Walked over and grabbed a mop as well. Joining Jack as they started cleaning.
"This is also about teamwork. What kind of teammate leaves another to do all the work?" Piper chastised.
"A smart teammate?" Finn looked hopeful. Only for Piper in great speed unfurled an extended pipe on her back and wacked Finn on the head with it. "Ow. Okay, okay. A bad teammate."
Jack himself watched the scene with a smile carefully hidden beneath his mouth when moving the mop. Glad to finally see the lazy teen get what he deserved.
Piper then walked over to Jack, "Sorry about that. He isn't so bad working with others but very easy to corrupt."
"It was only for an hour so its fine," Jack lied. Every minute watching that blond sit there doing nothing but drink lemonade while working did make him feel a bit resentful. Even with the promise that Finn would forget about the catapult incident yet did not want Piper to worry about that.
"Want me to get you something to drink?" Piper asked.
"Would like some water," Jack replied happily.
"Sure. Be right back," Piper turned around and walked away. Ignoring when Finn made the same request for a drink. That brought a smile to Jack. Focusing on the task at hand with his mind much more clear. Piper returned with a drink of water in hand. Offering it to Jack who took it from her hand and drank quite happily.
The next three hours blew by without a problem. Jack, along with Finn's help, were able to clean the whole hanger. Afterwards, Finn dismissed him with a wave as he made his way to another member of the crew, Stork. When entering the room of the bridge, Jack took a moment to admire the scenery. The glass windows providing an excellent one hundred and eighty degree view around the ship. The metal knobs and letters surrounding Stork reminded Jack of Steampunk. How light whistles of steam would occasionally leak out of the tubing.
Turning to the driver himself, Stork had his eyes focused forward with hands still on the wheel. Jack waited a few seconds in awkward silence for him to take account of his presence yet he seemed to ignore him. As soon as Jack moved to speak, he cut him off, "So Jack Darby." Putting emphasis on the last name. "You want to be a Storm Hawk?"
"Well, yeah. Worked in their factory for a day and already can tell they are bad news."
"Good. Please sign the paper on the dotted line on the table behind you."
"What is it?" Jack walked over to the table to see a pen along with a document he could not read. Though looked to be a contract.
"Just a formality. Stating you willingly join the Storm Hawks. That we are not responsible for injury or death while in the line of duty. Exception from income taxes with being a Sky Knight and a few miscellaneous details."
"Oh, all right." Jack signed the document. Honestly did not sound all that different to what he signed at the Knockout Burger. Minus the death and injury part thought that did not feel like too much of a stretch. He knew he, Miko, and Rapheal came close to death quite a few times.
"And any property or belongings you collect will be transferred to the ship's pilot upon death," Stork muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something," Jack asked.
"Nothing important," Stork then turned around to face Jack. Only now struck Jack on just how depressed and alien stork was. His head was more oval than round. The head sticking forward and seemed to walk with a permeant slouch as if depressed. Also had arms that were thinner than any teenager Jack had seen. Junko called his arms noodle arms yet seemed like Stork had the true noddle arms.
"Now, do you know the name of this ship?"
"Sure. The Condor."
"And its class?"
"Uh…a carrier?" Jack hesitantly said.
"The Condor is a frigate class carrier with its pulse number being 1983765728947827467389283758473674365738756438 with two blaster turrets on its upper wings. Has a hanger that can comfortable fit a full five person squad of skimmers. The two blimps are two hundred and fifty feet long and are what give the Condor its lift. Filled with helium that can be adjusted with filling more helium for height or sucked up to lower. Has four sixty-foot periscopes for travelling in cloud cover. The interior has running water, electricity, a kitchen, restroom, cabins, and storage area. For thrust, she uses two atmospheric engines on the upper wings powered by electric crystals. Power to the rest of the ship is also powered by electric crystals with emergency power being a backup generator.
"She is one hundred and seventeen years old and was damaged during Dark Ace's betrayal of the first Storm Hawks. Took me two years to get her flying again so if you try to take my ship, I will kill you. Brutally."
"Okay..." Jack took a step back from Stork. "So, what do you want me to do."
"Any experience handling heavy vehicles?"
"I own-I mean I drive a motorcycle."
"Good. Take the wheel and do NOT touch anything I do not point at." Stork stepped aside to leave the wheel open to grab. The 'wheel' not being much more than two throttles bolted together to a circular disk.
The controls for the condor steering were a bit simple once Stork explained everything. How the wheel of the ship can be adjusted to change direction in the direction of North, East, South, and West. Showing him the lever where more power was added to the two engines to increase and decrease speed. And how another lever allowed you to adjust the helium in the two blimps that strutted out of the ship to raise and lower. Despite that, their were a dozen other levers, switches and buttons Stork was adamant that you do not touch.
The next hour passed by without much happening. Jack at the wheel of the Condor for said hour as Stork listed off facts about it. While he tried to pay attention, between driving the ship and already listening to him for five minutes, he was overwhelmed. Not helped by Stork's low tone of talking where it made listening to him rather hard.
"…And that is why Sky Sharks are not your friends." Stork said in an all to professional posture and tone. Even raising his hand as if giving a lecture.
"Uh-huh," Jack said half listening. Still looking out at the sight of the clouds. Driving with Arcee was great but their was something calming seeing the white clouds drift lazily by with a blue backdrop.
"Uh-huh, he says," Stork said sadly. "Well, don't come crying to me when Sky Sharks are ripping your heart out of your ribcage. Assuming you DO have a ribcage."
Jack sighed, "I keep telling you. I. Am. Human. And if your so concerned about me being an alien, shouldn't you be helping me adjust to your new ways instead of, you know, taunting me?"
"We will see. It's lunch time so we will know if you eat normal food," Stork's eyes focusing on Jack, "or brains."
"Stork, Jack is right. Try to tone down the negativity just a bit," Aerrow walked up to the bridge. Carrying his lunch in one hand and doing a pinching motion with the other.
"Oh. All right," Stork said dramatically. Also grabbing his lunch from the wall. Finn, Piper, and Junko also joining them on the bridge as everyone ate and enjoyed their food. Aerrow offering him one of his meals to eat.
Lunch was a strange affair. Like thanksgiving with mom and grandpa and grandma who always demanded perfection yet a different kind of awkward. Junko did not so much chew his food but just swallow it down whole. Slurping up a strange tentacle soup without even chewing. The food Jack ate was thankfully mostly normal. A piece of chicken that tasted like chicken. Surprisingly similar to Knockout Burger. A side of mac and cheese, some cooked onions, a ladle of porridge and juice box.
What made the situation awkward was Stork starring at him with eagle eyes as Jack ate with him doing everything he could to avoid what was his version of looking at an alien. Just the way Stork leaned forward gave him a poltergeist feel. As if expecting a worm to burst out of his chest. Yet after Jack eating his first few bites, the guy calmed down and ate his own food. From there, the atmosphere really lightened up. Piper and Finn teasing each other on their aim with a wing frame. Just watching Junko inhale his meal three times the size of everyone else was a sight to behold.
"Yeah, takes some getting used to," Piper smiled to Jack, noticing his stare.
"Sorry," Jack looked away.
"Oh, no need to be so uptight," Piper patted Jack's back. "Were all friends here."
"Speak for yourself. I can't wait till a lucky lady shows up and sees how great I am and then its off to Paradisimo," Finn blustered. Waving his arms up in the air.
Piper laughed, "Yeah. Sure, Finn."
"I just…" Jack sighed. "Just worried I might offend someone."
"Jack, trust me, nothing you can say or do will match Finn's actions and comments," Aerrow said. A hey was heard from Finn but Aerrow ignored him, "He has insulted every person I know. His bathroom talk once had him hospitalized by Piper for a week."
This time it was Piper who reacted to Aerrow's words. Doing a light chuckle as she looked down in embarrassment. With Finn supporting the biggest grin on his face despite being beaten up by a girl.
"Yet we keep Finn aboard because he is our friend and an excellent shot. We don't expect you to immediately fight Dark Ace tomorrow. I was once the runt of the Storm Hawks, after all."
"Yeah," Jack took a bite out of his food.
"So, tell us Mr. Alien," Piper teased. "What does your world look like?"
Jack took a glance away from the table and to the windows of the ship. The clouds still drifting by that it made the situation feel like a dream, "Different. For one, we don't live in the sky. We live on the ground."
"That's not too different. We live on the ground at places too." Finn said.
"Yeah. And we use cars to travel between destinations," Jack said.
"What's a car?" Aerrow asked.
"You're kidding me," Jack sweat dropped. Looking around at everyone's faces who all looked confused at what he just said. "You fly around in an airship and you don't know what a car is?"
"Wait. I think I heard of this. Before the Great War where Atmos was once a planet with a thousand islands, there were designs for a vehicle that drove on solid surfaces. Having four wheels, right?" Piper said.
"Yeah. I mean, aren't your skimmers transformer-er can transform into motorcycles?" Jack said.
"Yes, but hard to get across Atmos with just wheels," Aerrow said.
"Well, a car is basically a motorcycle but having four wheels instead of two. Usually driving on asphalt." Jack explained.
"Imagine your world does not have as many mountains," Stork chimed in.
"Yeah. We also don't have crystals for power source. Relying on fossil fuels like oil and natural gas."
"Wait, wait, wait," Finn waved his arms in front of himself, "You're telling me you don't use crystals your 'cars'?"
"Yeah. My world would love to get their hands on the crystals from this place. A massive amount of energy in your hands at no external cost." Jack said.
Piper put a hand to her chin. Then looked at Jack, "Were going to have to talk about that after lunch when I teach you Atmosian."
"What's Amosian?" Jack asked.
Everyone laughed even Stork who was mostly silent. Aerrow quieting his laugh "The language we use. Seriously, everyone over ten is required to read and write Atmosian."
Then how can I understand them? Jack wondered, looking back down to his meal. Maybe my contact with the matrix is responsible? He wasn't sure and quickly accepted he would most likely never know the true answer behind it.
Piper rubbed her shoulder to Jack who was looking down as his eaten meal. Flashing him a smile, "Don't worry. I'll get you up to where you are reading training manuals for skimmers."
Jack sighed but gave Piper a slight smile, "Okay."
And he meant it. He really hoped this would be easier than learning Spanish in Jasper. They spoke what sounded like English just fine so hoped that transferred over to spelling being similar. Plus, he did enjoy Piper's company. That drink of water from her working under Finn was nice.
End Chapter.