Smuggler's Blues: A Storm Hawks Story

Chapter One - Smooth Landing

As the war between the Sky Knights and Cyclonians rage across Atmos, various criminal enterprises see this war as an opportunity to expand their power. On Terra Skavis, a bloody civil war wages between Cyclonian Loyalists and Sky Knight Resistance fighters. In the skies of Terra Skavis, a smuggler's cruiser flies by while narrowly avoiding cannon fire. Eventually, the ship lands in an outpost located at the center of the Terra. When the ship lands, the Blizzarian smuggler Blackjack Jet exits his ship with a smile on his face. 

Blackjack Jet: Smooth landing. 

As Blackjack Jet marvels at his ship, a tattooed man greets the Blizzarian smuggler.

Tattooed Man: Nice flying captain! I'm surprised you made it here in one piece! It's a shooting gallery up there!

Blackjack Jet: What can I say? I'm a damn good pilot. You must be Oz?

Oz: That's correct captain. I'll pick up Rasha's blasters from the cargo hold. I don't want to rush you, but we better get out of here quick. Between the Cyclonian Loyalists and the Sky Knights killing each other, it won't be long till their fighting spills here. 

Blackjack Jet: Isn't there anywhere on this rock where we could land? Preferably without the fighting. 

Oz: No can do captain. This place is the last free outpost in all of Terra Skavis. Everywhere else is either taken by one of the factions of turned into a crater. 

As Oz said that, a loud explosion was heard nearby. The resulting explosion caused the outpost to shake. The smuggler showed no concern. 

Oz: Damn. Sounds like the bombings getting closer. The Cyclonians will be right on top of us any minute. Here's your payment captain. Once I get the blasters, you'll be free to fly and I'll get those blasters to Rasha. 

Blackjack Jet: Sounds like a good plan to me. Wouldn't want to make Rasha angry. 

Suddenly, a dark skinned teenage girl with black hair rushed into the room. 

Teenage Girl: Oz we got a problem! Cyclonians took over the defense cannon!

Oz: Wait a minute! Slow down Tara! What are you talking about?

Tara: They deployed some kind of hit squad and wiped out the Sky Knights operating it! They took control and are now shooting down Skimmers out of the sky!

Blackjack Jet: Guess that's my cue to get out of here.

Oz: No can do captain. Those cannons are armed with tracking computers. Those cannons will dust your ship if you even think about taking off! Even your piloting skills wouldn't do you any good.

Blackjack Jet: Well that certainly puts a damper on my plans. I was hoping to go relax on Terra Tropica after this job.

Tara was annoyed by the Blizzarian's lack of caring for this situation. She felt he was making light of a dire situation. 

Tara: Are you serious?! People are dying and you're worried about a vacation spot?! 

Oz: Calm down Tara. The captain meant no offense. Sorry about that captain. She lost her folks when the Cyclonians raided her village. 

Blackjack Jet: How touching. So how do we fix this little pickle we're in? 

Oz: The targeting computers is powered by a relay tower not too far from here. If you can waste that tower, you'll be free to fly captain. 

Blackjack Jet took a moment to think about this. Seeing that he had no other choice, the Blizzarian smuggler accepted the job. 

Blackjack Jet: If I die, I want to be buried in my ship! 

Tara: Here's some explosives. This should help. Good luck captain.

Blackjack Jet: Thanks kid. 

Oz: Let's move Tara! We're running out of time!

Blackjack Jet then left the outpost and began making his way to the relay system powering the cannons. Luckily the two opposing factions were too focused on each other rather than him. When he reaches the relay, he sees two Cyclonian Loyalists guarding the relay. 

Blackjack Jet: Two guys? Too easy! Let's make an entrance!

Blackjack Jet then pulled out his Dual Energy Pistols and shot them both before they could react. He then ran to the relay tower and armed the explosives. 

Blackjack Jet: Time for a fireworks show!

Blackjack Jet got to a safe distance and readied the detonator to the explosives.

Blackjack Jet: Timber!

As the tower collapsed to the ground, the cannons near the tower stopped firing. After that, the Blizzarian got a call on his communicator. 

Tara(Communicator): Captain you there?!

Blackjack Jet: I just wasted the relay tower. Those guns won't be a problem. 

Tara(Communicator): We got trouble captain! We need you quick! Cyclonian Loyalists are coming!

Blackjack Jet: I leave you two alone for five seconds and this happens! Is my ship at least okay? I just repainted her!

Tara(Communicator): You ship's fine for now, but I don't know for how long! Cyclonian Loyalists are busting in! Oz and I are giving them a warm welcome but we could sure use a hand!

Blackjack Jet: Hang tight kid. I'm coming. Just don't touch those blasters! Rasha will kill me if she finds out someone fucked with her blasters!

Tara(Communicator): Oz! Get over here! Help me seal the hanger bay before they get through! Oz? Oz what are you.....

Suddenly, the communications between Blackjack Jet and Tara abruptly ended. Something about that last transmission seemed suspicious. 

Blackjack Jet: Well that doesn't sound good. Better get back before something happens to my ship!

Blackjack Jet then left the smoldering remains of the relay tower and once again narrowly avoids a firefight between the two opposing factions. Blackjack Jet made his smooth landing, but it was about to have a rough ending.