Storm Hawks: Adventures Of the Other Side

Chapter 11

Taking the headphones out from over his ears, Skye sighed heavily. Looking at Astra, he knew that they were in for a long fight. She still floated 3 feet in the air with the light glow. Still vulnerable. Though Loki still sat by her side like a guard dog.

He also had never left her side, even for a moment. Her protection were the knights first priority. She has sacrificed her guard to keep the Storm Hawks safe, even though they cannot fully trust them. Her eyes were closed, but every few hours, a strand of hair would fall due to the floating, only for him to place back into place, where he thought to be perfect. 

"Cedric, she can't watch over them forever." he continued to look at her, look for any sign of change. He placed a mattress underneath her. Just in case. 

"Boss, she needs to be safe. On the other hand, The White Fang will be needed." Cedric rubbed the back of his head, watching Skye watch Astra. Everyone knew how dedicated Skye was to Astra, couldn't tear him away from her. 

"Skye, we need to warn the capital. If an attack is impending, they need to prepare." Nate spoke to him, not trying to be patronizing, but simply reminding him of their task. 

"We don't have enough time, we need to head back." Skye knitted his fingers together, resting his head on them before rubbing them over his eyes. It was practically being stuck in a rock and a hard place. First, Astra needs to stay under in order to keep the Storm Hawks disguised, however, she also needs to return to the capital in order to fortify the people. "You guys may have to head back and get a head start." He broke his concentration to focus on the two. The two, however, shocked at the statement. 

"Boss, you are way better at strategy than us?" Nate looked at Ced, before looking back at Skye in disbelief, "You should go back for better prep." Skye shook his head in disbelief. 

"I'm not leaving her side." Nate heaved another sigh, sure that Ced is also thinking the same thing. There's no way he's leaving her.

"Boss how are we gonna get back?" Nate finally asked, knowing the decision is absolute, he also wanted his Princess safe, and she was not safer without Skye. All eyes veered to Loki. Though being a dragon, his personality is very human, emotions and all. His eyes opened from the light slumber, only shoot glares at the trio. No. No. No.

"Loki, you have to take one for the team," Skye cooed, "pllleeeaaaaassseeeeee take them back. We'll be right behind once she's awake." 

The beast looked away, turning his head away from them to show his disinterest in the idea. 

Loud clanging sounded from the entrance of the hanger, ripping everyone's attention towards it. Distant hisses slowly echoing through the halls. 

Loki drew his teeth, drawing himself nearer to Astra, staring at the entrance, ready to strike. The rest of the crew prepared for a boarding, weapons at the ready. 

Finn was at the bridge, hopefully he heard the same noise. 

Loki remained by Astra, ready to pounce. Skye guarded at the door, the others left to recon. 

Nate and Cedric made stealth ahead, listening for any signs of infiltration. Pure silence. 

Nate noticed a breeze towards the hanger, looking towards Cedric, he made a hand gesture to move in that direction. Slowly making their way, they rounded the door into the hanger. 

In the distance, the hanger bay door was open with a strong breeze invading. Nate gestured to proceed further to investigate, slow and quiet steps to avoid detection. 

Nate jerked his head back towards the door, sure he noticed something. His sight betrayed him but he was certain something got passed them! Almost as if it were a shadow taking cover in the darkness of the corners of the room. 

He peered again, double checking he wasn't manifesting something to see. 

"AHH" he almost shot out, when he realised who he saw. Finn screaming with dramatics. 

"Guess you heard the sounds too? Thought you were going to explore my cool ride" Finn squeezed his eyes, fanning the room, checking for any anomalies. Despite the room being mostly dark, he was good at spotting anything out of the ordinary, especially on his home turf. 

His instincts kicked into gear as soon as the door closed and locked, before his crossbow arrow managed to make a hit! Nate scrambled to open the door but to no avail, it was locked from the inside!

"Damnit!" He punched the door, barely making a dent, looking to Cedric for ideas, but he was still in the middle of the hanger, fighting the foe that revealed itself. A shadowy, humanoid figure that seems to blend seamlessly into the darkness. Its face is obscured by a hood, and its eyes glow with an eerie, otherworldly light, dark figures that Cyclonis brought with her when she first arrived. "Nightcrawlers..." Finn screamed, remembering that they were just as unappealing as before. 

Cedric managed to pin one down, before Nate's hair on the back of his neck stood on ends, he knew one was behind him. Fortunately, we was able to dodge an attack, pinning them against the wall. 

"So? How many of you are there?" Met with a maniacal laugh from the creature of the night.