Chapter Text
Aerrow surveys the packed Council Chamber from his position by the window, Piper anxiously vibrating at his side while the other Squadron leaders (adults) milled about talking quietly.
It had been almost a year since the disappearances began. Sky Knights, citizens, neutrals… even Cyclonians. Gone.
At first they’d naturally blamed the evil Empire, how many times had the Cyclonians resorted to nefarious tactics to gain the upper hand against all who stood in their way of total domination?
Cyclonia of course denied it, even sent Ambassadors to proclaim the Empires innocence, along with reports and photos of their own Talons vanishing without a trace.
Not that anyone believed them.
Until about 8 months ago.
To Aerrows shame, the Storm Hawks hadn’t gotten involved until things became personal. Busy as they were flitting from Terra to Terra helping with each crisis as it arose. Finn had declared it was clearly the Cyclonians up to something (duh) so why bother chasing shadows when they could be raiding Talon bases to try and find the prisoners?
It made so much sense back then. Even Piper agreed.
Movement by the chamber door pulls Aerrow out of his musing, standing alert and tracking the elderly council members as they make their way to the podium. The hush spreads in their wake as more Squadrons take note, ending their speculation as they brace for whatever news was deemed important enough to summon them all.
Clearing his throat, the spokesman scans the room, eyes stopping as he catches sight of the youngest Sky Knight.
“Sky Knight Starling has been found.”
The whole room collectively sagged with relief, some friendly ‘I told you so‘s’ rose above the pleased chattering.
Aerrow couldn’t make out the rest, distracted by Pipers cheering and the tight ball of guilt in his chest easing for the first time in months.
Starling was found.
“Order! If you please.” A few pointed glares had everyone settling, everyone eager to hear the news.
Starling, last of the Interceptors. Spy and Sky Knight warrior supreme. If anyone was qualified to investigate the disappearances it was her. She was also one of the few professional enough to coordinate with the Cyclonian Ambassadors even when everyone still blamed the Empire.
When Aerrow had last spoken to her (mostly to ask why she’d waste her time listening to Cyclonians of all people) she’d just smiled, then asked him to trust her and her methods. And he did. Trust her. Of all the adults in the world, Starling was the one who actually respected the Storm Hawks, who had their backs. She was an honorary member after all.
Instead of raising his voice, the Council spokesman gestures to another corner of the room. Ambassador Kenway of Cyclonia steps forward, clearing his throat and stoically ignoring the many glares.
“Sky Knight Starling has been granted amnesty by the Cyclonian Empire, she-“
To his credit Kenway doesn’t seem to take the sudden uproar personally, sighing quietly and fixing his gaze on the wall a few feet above the heads of the furious Sky Knights.
Some loudly declared Starling had nothing to be forgiven for (the Rebel Ducks, who saw their long list of ‘crimes against Cyclonia’ as an achievement) while others rattled off conspiracy theories of yet another betrayal.
Those people soon find themselves quieting under the glares of the two Storm Hawks, Piper quick as ever to defend her friends while Aerrow just stares them down until they look away feeling ashamed.
Soon enough the council members collectively bring everyone to order with the threat of expulsion ‘for those incapable of acting with dignity’. Ambassador Kenway nods in thanks to the elders, taking a moment to compose himself again.
“Two months ago Sky Knight Starling landed in Cyclonia with another kidnapping victim, both were critically injured and have only just been declared medically stable. Master Cyclonis is offering a reward to anyone- and I mean anyone- able to capture or kill those responsible.”
That gets everyone’s attention, even those who did everything they could to snub the Cyclonians these past long months.
“The reward will be a class 5 crystal or territory of their choosing, up for negotiation.”
The Blizzarians suddenly look very attentive, Aerrow can’t blame them, either option could help their people immensely. Even the Rebel Ducks suddenly seemed eager to help.
Consulting a piece of paper Kenway continues. “According to Sky Knight Starlings testimony, an unknown covert group operating on the borders of the Great Expanse are responsible for at least seven of the disappearances both Cyclonian and other, all other prisoners at the time of her escape were dead.”
Grim silence. To date, almost seventy people had gone missing on all sides, of those, at least thirty had been combat trained. For all but Starling and her fellow prisoner to be dead… Aerrow swallows nervously. ‘Critically injured’. Starling had been so badly hurt Cyclonia hadn’t even announced her ‘capture’, possibly in fear she’d die and they’d get blamed (again). The thought that anyone… that anything could take down the Interceptor to the point she was completely at the Cyclonians mercy…
“The terrorists have a large armed force at their disposal, energy weapons, artillery… there’s written reports available to anyone willing to hunt the kidnappers.” Waving the paper, Kenway gestures for a nondescript Talon to step forward with a stack of parchment that was quickly handed out.
At the muttering of discontent upon seeing large parts redacted Kenway quickly speaks up again, “Some elements were redacted to respect the privacy of the victims, you’re welcome to ask Sky Knight Starling herself for more details.”
Piper leans close to Aerrow, trying to keep her voice low, “Who’s privacy are they protecting? Cyclonis wouldn’t care about Starling for even a second, especially if it gets her something she wants…”
Aerrow just scans the report, eyes narrowing at the mention of humanoid experimentation and his breath catching on the phrase ‘repeated torture’.
Another nudge from Piper pulls him back from the brink, chest tight and eyes wet. “Dark Ace.” His tone is certain.
Piper breathes in sharply, of course.
Three months after the disappearances began, the Dark Ace himself had vanished, supposedly dispatched to investigate a lead on the missing Talons. The Cyclonians had become almost frantic, shutting down every border and responding to any rebellion with extreme violence beyond even their usual ruthlessness. It was what had spurred Starling into finally taking action, proof the Cyclonian Ambassador wasn’t lying (or being lied to by his superiors). She’d assembled the data from all sides, narrowed it down to several sites of repeated disappearances, then gone to investigate.
She never came back.
Aerrow had scoured her last location, they all had, the Storm Hawks even breaking out Storks metal detector to go over every inch of the barren Terra. It was Finn who found her nunchucks, tossed aside in some vegetation. Radar had even tried sniffing out a trail with no luck.
“She rescued the Dark Ace, it’s why they must have gone to Cyclonia. If it was just her or anyone else she would have taken them to Terra Rex, it’s the closest Atmosian Terra with an emergency medical department. She had to be worried someone would hurt him or…” His eyes linger over ‘repeated torture’ again. “Cyclonia’s closer to the Great Expanse. If every second counted…”
An unknown armed militia, kidnapping, torturing and experimenting on people had subdued two of the greatest warriors known to Atmos. And almost killed them.
“But… why would they grant her amnesty? Even if Cyclonis was the grateful type, she’s more likely to just… throw Starling over the border this one time. Amnesty is a whole legal thing… it means she could just walk through their borders anytime so long as she didn’t do anything against them again…” Piper frowns at the report, the paper crumpling slightly under her grip. What the hell happened? Was Starling crippled to the point Cyclonis thought she could never be a threat? What was crippled by Cyclonian definition? It was a military state, their medical expertise in treating lost limbs and life threatening wounds was unparalleled in Free Atmos. The benefit of having so many patients to practice on.
“She’s alive,” Aerrow takes a deep breath, not sure if he’s reassuring himself or Piper, “She’s alive and that’s what matters. C’mon, let’s see if we can talk Kenway into letting us see her.”
The other Sky Knights had begun to disperse, some talking in small clumps, others clearly on a mission to brief their respective squadrons in pursuit of the Cyclonian bounty reward.
Harrier of all people was speaking to Kenway, his usual snooty expression eerily somber. He also doesn’t dismiss them the moment he catches sight of the teens.
“Ah, Storm Hawks. The Ambassador and I were just having a word… you’re close with Starling, aren’t you?”
Aerrow shares a look with Piper… duh?
“Erm… yeah?” Aerrow tries not to sound too judgemental, clearly not quite managing going by the smirk on Kenways face.
Harrier as always seemed oblivious to any perceived slight against his own intelligence. “We were just negotiating hosting Starling and the other victim at Terra Rex. Our medical facilities are naturally among the best in all Atmos… particularly the accommodations for those needing long term medical care.”
“What he means is… our medics feel that a more laid back environment would benefit the patients most, along with regular contact with close friends or family. A team of healers will be coming with them to monitor their progress, however Master Cyclonis wants me to request that the Storm Hawks provide additional security. So that the Rex Guardians can tend to their regular duties unhindered of course!” Ambassador Kenway winks at the kids, clearly all too familiar with Harrier and his team's failings. The Rex Guardians Vs the Storm Hawks duel had been broadcast after all.
Harriers snooty sniff suggests he wasn’t as oblivious to the criticism as the others had thought, especially in the face of the teenagers grins. “They’ll be arriving in four days, plenty of time for your squadron to settle in and learn the terrain if you will. Naturally we’ll provide funds and food to reassure our… associates… that you’re equipped for the challenge. If you’ll pardon the intrusion I can join you now and show you where to land. I trust the Condor will be all the accommodations you’ll need?”
“Sure!” Piper bounces in place, grabbing Aerrows arm and shaking it slightly. Four days! And food! Junko was gonna be thrilled.
“Yeah.” For the first time in months, Aerrow lets himself feel excited. “Let’s go.”