The Seventh Member of the Storm Hawks

The Code

"Hey guys!" Piper called appearing in the bridge room, Nika and Junko briefly looked up from Nika's crystal device before returning their attention to it while the other Storm Hawks turned their heads to face Piper, who looked rather excited about something. "What is it Piper?" Aerrow asked, knowing this was either a plan or something about crystals, he had been watching the two friends and was still mind-boggled by their mechanical skills. "There is a phoenix nest nearby and I really want to study one of their crystals!" She exclaimed in excitement, Nika again briefly looked over to her and shook her head, for someone that was smart – Piper really lacked common sense. "Piper, you do realise that if you take a phoenix's crystal, it WILL come after you and won't stop until it gets it back?" She said slowly, hoping Piper wouldn't want to go through with it – Nika knew from experience, never tick off a phoenix. "I know!" She smiled, prompting Nika to shake her head again. "Nika, you know plenty about phoenix nests – how would we get a crystal?" Finn asked, his interest peaking with the idea of adventure. The brunette lazily looked up, impersonating Stork for a moment. "Simple answer? You don't." She replied before she took the crystal device from Junko's offering hand and placed it on the table.

"There must be a way, c'mon. Where's your sense of adventure?" Finn pressed giving Nika a smile, she rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance at her fellow Storm Hawk. "Well, the best you can do is keep quiet and hope nothing goes wrong. I still don't think it's a good idea to go in the first place." She sighed before standing up and stretching her arms above her head. "And no, I'm not going before you ask." She added with a snap, she was angry that he had brought up memories of home – she used to venture into phoenix nests with her brother often. Piper knew this as Nika had told her, now she wished that she hadn't, with that thought she left the bridge.

"What's up with her? Sheesh." Finn commented when Nika was out of hearing range, everyone but Stork gave him a serious look. "Uh Finn? What nests are around Yaris?" Junko asked, personally he was rather annoyed at his best friend but he knew it is the way Finn was – rather obnoxious. They all found out after the battle with Cyclonia that Nika was from Terra Yaris, a place full of the flaming birds that almost acted as the terra's guard dogs. "Phoenixes? So?" Finn spat out, still not seeing the issue, Piper obviously did and slapped the back of his head, the guys all winced at it. "Finn, you are so-so stupid!" She cried, he narrowed his eyes. "I didn't bring them up, Piper." He replied coolly before he stalked off, not believing that he was just as bad as Piper. Everyone rolled their eyes, annoyed at Finn but Aerrow turned his attention to a guilty looking Piper. "What were you thinking Piper?" He asked gently, last thing he wanted was to have her hit him. She sighed sadly and wiped her eyes. "I didn't mean it, I got so excited and forgot about Nika – I feel terrible." He gave a small, sad smile – knowing she was sorry- and put his hand on her shoulder.

Nika was sat in the unused room, softly crying – she had to stop being so sensitive about home, it's not like they were going out of their way to upset her. Nobody meant it and she knew that but it still hurt, a soft knock sounded at the door making Nika hurriedly wipe her eyes before she choked out a "come in". She didn't look up to see who it was, she felt ashamed to be crying – especially when it was rather trivial. The person crouched down in front of her, she cringed seeing it was Finn – she seriously contemplated pushing him backwards, but instead she turned her face away from him. The blonde shooter felt terrible – he had grown to care for Nika a little bit but he saw how Aerrow looked at the brunette weapons expert and didn't pursue his crush on her. "Nika I... I'm sorry. I was stupid." He said simply, swallowing his pride which was less painful than he expected. The brunette's blue eyes flickered up to meet his, for once Finn looked sincere and she could accept that apology so she nodded with a tiny smile. Finn smiled back, mostly in relief, and gave her a short hug before a silence fell on the room. "Piper didn't mean it either." He blurted, Nika only smiled and shook her head yes as she replied, "I know." He offered his hand so they could go back to the bridge together, Finn got drawn a look which he waved off while Nika got sympathetic glances – Finn went to play cards with Junko while Nika simply sat on the seats looking around awkwardly. Piper guiltily looked over to Aerrow then made her way over to Nika, her eyes pained when Nika gave a genuine smile to her. "Don't apologise Piper, just had some tough memories of home." The brunette explained before Piper opened her mouth, the crystal expert returned a teary smile and gave Nika a hug that she lightly returned. "How about we get you a Phoenix crystal?" She smiled at her blue haired-friend, they giggled and left for the hangar. Leaving the guys alone who looked rather confused about how girls thought, though the helmsman always had the answer.