Calm Before the Storm

Calm Before the Storm

File 1


by


SHADOWHAWK


Archivist's note: What a ride! Thanks, Shadowhawk. LMH


It was a quiet night in Limbo Galaxy unless you were a member of the Intergalactic Mob. Mon*Star has ordered a raid on Dolar's computerized account numbers and sent Hardware and Windhammer to collect those codes. As usual, Lord Cash sent an SOS to Hawk Haven.

Commander Stargazer was on the case. "Stargazer here," he said. "What seems to be the problem?"

Lord Cash responded, "The Mob is after Dolar's new account codes! If Mon*Star gets his hands on them, all of Limbo's money will belong to him. Send the SilverHawks ASAP!"

That was easier said than done. Most of the Gold Team sans the Copper Kid were investigating a political affair on Bedlama, the Blue Team hasn't returned from their last mission from Automata, and Aurora took a wing shot from Poker-Face's laser cane after a sting at the Starship Casino went sour.


Meanwhile, Hardware was putting the finishing touches on his newest device: a code encryptor that will siphon any memory stored in any computer bank throughout Limbo.

"I hope this thing works," spoke the orcish weapons supplier, "and I hope Mon*Star will finally PAY ME!"

"If it works, Hardware," added Windhammer. "You know how the SilverHawks ruin everything."

"Don't worry, Windhammer," smiled Hardware. "They're out on different missions and we clipped one of them!" As Hardware was about to put the last touch to his code encryptor, a strange force came in and sizzled the activation key.

"WHAT GIVES?!" exclaimed a startled Hardware. Immediately, he turned to Windhammer. "Did you do this?!"

"It wasn't me, Hardware!" retorted the Storm Master. Then, he heard a voice from afar.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you!" said a young human woman in a blue robe and a golden scepter. "I, Tempestra, Queen of the Weather demand this action to cease immediately!"

Windhammer got a good look at Tempestra and nearly shook. "I'm outta here!" He took his tuning fork and called forth the lightning to take him back to Brim*Star, leaving Hardware to the wolves.

"HEY, WINDBAG!" shouted Hardware. "WAIT FOR ME!" He follower the Storm Master in his Wicked Zoomer, but not before Tempestra used her scepter to cast snow into the engine. Dolar was saved by this girl, but she was still obsessed with why she came here for. "Uranos," she said to herself. "you won't hide from me forever."


The Blue Team came back to Hawk Haven just in time for Lord Cash from Dolar to call again. "Stargazer, are you there still?"

"I'm here, Lord Cash," answered the Commander. "What happened?"

"I couldn't explain," but Lord Cash tried the best he could. "Someone stopped the Mob from stealing the accounts. They retreated without hesitation."

This puzzled Stargazer. All the SilverHawks were busy or on the shelf. "We'll look into this, Lord Cash." said Stargazer. "Thanks for letting us know." Lord Cash signed off leaving the SilverHawks puzzled.

"Could a vigilante be in Limbo?" thought the Commander.


Back on Brim*Star, Mon*Star was foaming at the mouth. His slithery sidekick Yesman was hiding behind the console.

"YOU IMBECILES!" screamed the tyrannical Mob Leader. "Now I'll never have Dolar's account codes!" Hardware and Windhammer were shaking like a leaf knowing when Mon*Star gets mad, he goes postal on anything - and anyone!

"It's bad enough those SilverSaps have to butt in on our capers," continued Mon*Star. "but you had to let an OUTSIDER beat you!"

"I can explain, Planet Master," pleaded Windhammer. "This outsider is someone I know!" But Mon*Star zapped him with a small amount of energy.

"Maybe THAT will shock some sense into you!" bellowed Mon*Star. "If any of you fail me again, it'll be DOUBLE THE TROUBLE!" Then he called for Yesman to come out.

"Y-y-y-yes, boss?" quivered the serpentine lackey. "What can I do for you, boss?"

"Contact Melodia, Poker-Face and Mumbo to go to Automata to get the code encryptor repaired," ordered Mon*Star. "then prepare for transformation!"

"Transformation," grinned Yesman. "Ooh yes, boss. Certainly, boss. Right away, boss."


Mon*Star sat in his throne where the moon of Brim*star shone down. Yesman tilted the planet to receive the lunar rays to the throne, where Mon*Star began his metamorphosis.

"Moon Star of Limbo-" chanted Mon*Star as the moon's rays completely shone down on him. " - give me the might - the muscle - the menace OF MON*STAR!" With the transformation complete, Mon*Star became an armored demon as he rode towards Dolar on top of his armored space squid, Skyrunner. Outside Mon*Star's fortress, Windhammer was preparing to leave when Hardware stopped him.

"Is there something you're not telling us, Windy?" interrogated Hardware. "Who is that girl that stopped us?"

All Windhammer could do was hold his composure. "It's personal, Hardware. This is something I have to do alone." He raised his tuning fork high in the air. "Lightning," he commanded. "carry Windhammer!" In an instant, bolts of lightning took the Storm Master away and out of Brim*Star.

"Poor Windy," thought Hardware. "but also poor ME! I lost a profit because of that maverick!"


Back at Hawk Haven, all the SilverHawks were in the briefing room. Stargazer and his daughter Aurora were going over the events on Dolar, while Starlight was itching to get even with Poker-Face for injuring Aurora.

"So you see, SilverHawks," briefed the Commander, "we got a vigilante on our hands. We want to know who she is and what is her purpose."

"She doesn't look like she's part of the Mob," noted Quicksilver. "but it looks like she knows someone from the Mob."

"That's what I think to, Lieutenant." commended Stargazer. Just then, Tally Hawk came in and flash a picture of Mon*Star and the Limbo Limo bearing Melodia, Poker-Face and Mumbo Jumbo heading for the mechanical world of Automata.

"It's the Mob!" observed Steel Heart. "They're heading for Automata for some reason."

"Looks like they're gonna put in a place kicker," added Steel Will. "and that kicker is the encryptor."

Stargazer had to act fast. "OK, here's the plan." he said. "Quicksilver, you and Hotwing find out about our vigilante. Kid, you work on an anti-encryptor. Aurora and Skyedansuer, you will take the Kid's and Quicksilver's place in the Maraj."

This was a bit uneasy with Steel Heart, knowing Skyedansuer would be alongside her. She still hadn't forgiven her for marrying Bluegrass, but business is business. As soon as the SilverHawks launched from HawkHaven, Starlight followed them without having Stargazer know it. He wanted a crack at Poker-Face for blasting Aurora with his laser cane.


On Planet Fense, an asteroid beyond the Light-Year Limit, the young sorceress Tempestra made her way into the Sinistar Diner. She looked around the place and found Hardware trying to figure out how much debt he was in.

"That Mon*Star!" growled Hardware. "I do all the work for this guy and what do I get? ZIP!" Then he saw a shadow fall on him. "Whaddaya want, chump?"

Then he saw her body. Long black hair, human flesh, pointed ears, above-average figure and a light blue robe. He was steaming mad. "It's you!" he shouted and tried to blast her, but she was too quick and kicked him in the stomach.

She held her scepter close to his head and put the squeeze on the reptilian gunman.

"You know him, mutant!" she shouted. "Where is he?! Where is Uranos Asgard?!"

"How should I know?" bellowed Hardware. "I'm in enough trouble because of you!"

With that remark, Tempestra shot her scepter at Hardware encasing him in a block of ice. All the people at the diner were scared to cross her. As soon as she left, the patrons breathed a sigh of relief.


Near the Light-Year Limit, Quicksilver and Hotwing were flying towards Fense hoping for answers.

"There's Fense up ahead, Hotwing." pointed out Quicksilver. "See if you can find any clues."

"Will do, Quicksilver," replied Hotwing. "I'll get a visual in my mind." Hotwing's telepathic ability saw the patrons scared as if they seen a ghost. Then he saw the imprisoned Hardware.

"Did you see something?" Quicksilver asked Hotwing.

"Well," answered the SilverHawk magician. "let's just say Hardware's chillin' - literally. We'll free him and ask him about what happened."

"Copy that." said Quicksilver, as he and Hotwing head for the Sinistar Diner.


In the meantime, in an uncharted part of Limbo on top of an asteroid stood Uranos Odin Asgard, better known in Limbo as Windhammer, the Storm Master as he awaited his fate.

"So, Sylph Marianna," he says to himself, using Tempestra's real name. "You follow me all over Limbo to take me in, to be your husband, to fulfill your clan tradition and try to do the same to me?" He planted the end of his tuning fork in anger and defiance. "Well, it's not gonna happen! I left Procellia to get away from your tradition. This is the way I am and what I will be! And so help me, I'll have to destroy you to keep it that way!"

With the asteroid floating in Limbo space, Windhammer waited standing tall to change his fate, to face a challenge that did not include the SilverHawks.


Calm Before the Storm FILE 2


A day had passed since someone from Windhammer's past came to get him back to Procellia. He'd been on the run from her ever since he joined with Mon*Star's Mob.

"You're not taking me back, Sylph," declared Windhammer. "I'll find a way to stop this - even turn to the SilverHawks for help!" Then, he had a second thought. "No, Mon*Star would have a coronary if I did that! If only, she forgot about me - " What Windhammer said sparked an idea. There was one person in Limbo who could tamper with memory: ZERO THE MEMORY THIEF!

Last Windhammer heard, Zero was in the Penal Planet for trying to steal the memory of Governor Xander on Bedlama. He could use lightning to travel, but that would summon Tempestra. "I'll have to take a taxi to the Penal Planet." thought Windhammer. "Then, I'll use my powers to free Zero. Then, Sylph Marianna, you'll be no more!"


While Windhammer waited for a cab, the Limbo Limo bearing Melodia, Poker-Face and Mumbo Jumbo was approaching Automatan airspace at the same time as the Maraj.

The Copper Kid spotted the Limbo Limo heading into Automata. "Over there," The Kid pointed out.

"I see 'em, Kid," replied Bluegrass. "Three snakes in the prairie. Time to rake them out." Bluegrass put the Maraj into position as Starlight himself got ready.

"Ready when you are, honey," smiled Skyedansuer. "We'll have the Mob running." "Just concentrate on the mission," ordered SteelHeart. "and not on 'Rawhide'. And no wild attacks, OK?"

"Yes, sergeant," replied Skyedansuer sarcastically. In the other cockpit, Aurora, Lieutenant Firstlight, was flying in the SprintHawk, ready for action. She sensed Starlight overhead, but showed no grief or anger.

"Thanks for coming along, Steven," spoke Aurora silently, knowing this time the outcome would be one for the good guys.

"OK, SilverHawks," radioed Bluegrass. "We're a few Limbo meters from the Limo. Prepare to launch!"

"Ready!" they all said, preparing to engage the Mob.

"Release!" ordered Bluegrass as the Twins, Skyedansuer and the Kid left the Maraj.


On Automata, Melodia was holding up the inhabitants with her Sound Smasher. "Don't anyone move," shrieked the out-of-tune vixen. "One false move and you'll get a concert that'll bring down the house - ON YOU!"

Poker-Face had the encryptor in hand and Mumbo had his arms full of parts. The pile was 3 stories high! "Here parts." Mumbo mumbled.

"Yikes!" Poker-Face exclaimed with his eyes showing exclamation points. "This'll take months before we find the right one for the encryptor!"

Meanwhile, Bluegrass was near the Limbo Limo. "Well, looka here," he said while viewing the screen. "My favorite duo partner!" Knowing Melodia was amongst the three, he took out Hot Licks, his laser guitar and disconnected the Maraj. Afterwards, the Maraj carrier vanished leaving the Hot Seat to close in.

"Time to serenade the young lady, Hot Licks," chimed Bluegrass. "Gimme something in C minor."

Inside Automata, Mumbo and Poker-Face were still desperately searching for the right components for the code encryptor.

"There's gotta be something in this pile of rubble that's worth something to us!" whined Poker-Face.

Then, all of a sudden a magic beam zapped the dapper android back a few inches. "The only thing that's worth something to YOU is 25 to life on the Penal Planet!" said Starlight.

Melodia looked back and was she mad! "The SilverHawks!" she snapped. "You crashed our party for the last time! It's time to play your swansong!" She began playing with her Sound Smasher in hopes of grounding the SilverHawks when she nearly got blasted herself by Bluegrass in the Hot Seat.

"Howdy, ma'am," smiled the colonel. "Playin' through?" This made Melodia sore when she's been challenged.

"Pokey! Mumbo!" she ordered. "Take care of these tin turkeys for me! I got a date with a cowboy!" Melodia hopped into the Limbo Limo and went after Bluegrass in the Hot Seat.


Back on Fence, Hotwing and Quicksilver freed Hardware from his icy prison. The reptilian weapons supplier developed a cold from being entombed in ice for a while.

"OK, Hardware," asked Quicksilver. "what happened here? Who done this to you?"

Even though SilverHawks helped him out, Hardware was still Hardware. "I ain't talkin', SilverQuack!" he sneered. "Not until I get paid in full! Now get outta my way!" Hardware pushed Quicksilver out of the way and jumped into his Wicked Zoomer but the machine didn't start. Hotwing tampered with the Zoomer telepathically.

"Stupid clunker!" Hardware shouted. "Get me off this thing!"

"Not until we get answers!" ordered Quicksilver. "We'll repair your Zoomer for information."

Hardware was a shrewd mutant to deal with, but he had to give in. "OK," he said. "Some girl saw me and was looking for someone named Uranos Asgard or something. Then she froze me."

"Thanks for the info, Hardware." said Hotwing and used his telepathy on the Zoomer once again. "It's all fixed."

When Hardware heard the news, he took off like a bat out of Hell. "So long, SilverSuckers!" he laughed.

Quicksilver and Hotwing got a cloudful of dust from the Zoomer. "That guy's a big jerk, Hotwing." noted Quicksilver.

"Indeed," replied Hotwing. "but he won't get the last laugh. I actually damaged his fuel intake. He should be out of gas near the border of the Light-Year Limit."

And true enough, the Wicked Zoomer was out of gas. Hardware was so fed up with the SilverHawks, with Mon*Star, with his car, but mostly with his debt! "I should really look into early retirement," thought Hardware.


Meanwhile, Tempestra was still searching for Windhammer to take back to her homeworld. She was still in the Light-Year Limit and she came across the Starship Casino: Poker-Face's personal lair. Since he was out on a caper, she walked in and made herself at home.

"This will be a good place to rest until Uranos shows his face!" thought Tempestra. "Then, I'll make him suffer for what he did!"

Unbeknownst to Tempestra, Skyshadow was circling the Casino. It relayed the image of her back to Brim*Star where Mon*Star saw her.

"So," Mon*Star thought. "this is the legendary Tempestra." He gave her cursory look. "Windhammer said he knew of her past! We'll make sure she has NO FUTURE!" He laughed maniacally at the thought of rubbing out Tempestra, then he ordered Yesman on another mission.

"What's the plan, boss?" hissed Yesman.

"Free Time Stopper from the Penal Planet AFTER you prepare for transformation!" "Yes, boss," said Yesman. "Certainly. Right away."

It seemed Mon*Star had plans of his own for Tempestra. Windhammer wanted to face her in his own way. And the SilverHawks were still trying to piece the whole puzzle together.


Calm Before the Storm FILE 3



At the Penal Planet, Windhammer slipped in undetected and went to find Zero, the Memory Thief, plotting to use the alien’s powers against Tempestra. When he found Zero, he was down in the dumps.

"Zero," the Storm Master called out quietly. "It's me, Windhammer. I've come to bail you out."

"I won't be much help to you, Windhammer," whined the Memory Thief, 'even IF you release me." He showed Windhammer his magnetic memory collector rod and to the Storm Master's dismay, it was warped, bent, the victim of a tough sentry robot. "My ROD, Windy," he cried. "They BROKE MY BLEEPING ROD!!"

All Windhammer could do was faint comically. It also left him with a problem. Without Zero's memory collector, he couldn’t wipe Tempestra's memories clean. Then as he came to, Windhammer heard sirens.


"JAILBREAK!" called out the sentry. "It's MON*STAR!!"

All the sentries scrambled, ignoring Windhammer and headed straight for Mon*Star, who, along with his cybernetic slasher Buzzsaw, was springing a jailbreak.

"What's going on here?" Windhammer asked Zero.

"I've been told that Mon*star's freeing Time-Stopper," Zero answered. "His first job is to eliminate some vigilante that's been terrorizing the Mob. Some woman named Tempestra or something."

"TEMPESTRA?!" cried out Windhammer. "He can't! I have to stop her myself!" He ran off in the direction of Time-Stopper's cell before Mon*Star got to him first.

"HEY!" yelled Zero. "What about ME?!" All Zero could do was wait in his cell with his broken memory collector rod. "This shouldn't even happen to a Mobster," cried a somber Zero.


The news of the jailbreak on the Penal Planet reached Hawk Haven and the Commander.

"Stargazer here," he said. "Report."

"Commander," said the warden of the Penal Planet. "Mon*Star is here planning to break Time-Stopper out of jail! Send the SilverHawks before--" The message ended with static.

"Blast the Mob!" cursed Stargazer. He then called for the SilverHawks on standby. "Blue Team," he commanded. "head for the Penal Planet to stop Mon*Star from breaking out Time-Stopper." Before he could send them out, another message was received.

"HELP! Commander!" It was a scrambled picture, but the voice was familiar. It was Seymour the Cabbie. "There's a strange woman causing trouble in my cab! And she won't stop until she finds the person she's looking for! You know what I mean?"

"Yeah," whined Seymour's erstwhile friend Zeke the Beak. "She didn't even like fish! ZEEEEEEEKE!"

The turn of events gave Stargazer a migraine. Then he issued his orders.

"Gold Team, we found our vigilante! She's in Seymour's hack!" Then Quicksilver came in with a clue on the vigilante's actions.


"This came in from Earth, Commander," noted Quicksilver. "We've found out who that vigilante is after." He showed the commander a file on the Procellian sorceress Tempestra. The files revealed that her clan tradition was to marry any man she deems worthy.

"Yeah, so?" gruffed Stargazer.

"Look who she chose." added Quicksilver and showed another file with Windhammer's real name.

"If that's the case, then the galaxy is in jeopardy!" assessed Stargazer. "Intercept Tempestra before she meets Windhammer!"

Quicksilver nodded and sent the Gold Team out towards Seymour's cab while the Blue Team headed for the Penal Planet.


At the Penal Planet, Mon*Star was near Time-Stopper's cell and managed to get his Limbo Stopwatch free.

"All we need to do is spring Time-Stopper," said Mon*Star, "and that sorceress' time will be up!"

"Stand back, Planet Master!" warned Buzzsaw. "I'm gonna cut this door like a hot knife through butter!"

Little did Buzzsaw know, Windhammer got there first. When the robot slashed cut down the doors, he was upset to find Windhammer in front of Time-Stopper's cell.

"Out of the way, Windhammer!" growled Buzzsaw. "We got a mission to uphold!" "And I say," declared the Storm Master, "that I want to handle Tempestra in my own fashion!"

Mon*Star was mad that Windhammer defied his orders. "Move right now, Storm Master," bellowed Mon*Star, "or you'll be in a worse storm than the ones you create!" Before Mon*Star began to strike Windhammer, he heard wild west-like rowdiness from Moonstriker.

"THE SILVERHAWKS!" observed Buzzsaw. Windhammer seized the opportunity and ran from Mon*Star and off the Penal Planet by use of his lightning walkway. "Come back here, Windbag!" shouted Mon*Star.

"Forget him, boss!" spoke Time-Stopper from his cell. "Just spring me!"

Mon*Star did just that and gave Time-Stopper his Limbo Stopwatch, all while thinking about Windhammer’s strange behavior.


While the Gold Team was searching for Tempestra, Skyedansuer and SteelHeart were still having their problems, but both of them put it aside for the sake of the mission.

Then the Copper Kid saw something on his Space Racer. "Over there!" he pointed out.

Bluegrass noted, too. "I see it, Kid." he replied. "OK, SilverHawks. Prepare to launch!"

SteelHeart, SteelWill, Starlight and Skyedansuer were ready and Bluegrass released them to intercept Tempestra.

At the same time, Windhammer was on his way to find Tempestra somewhere in Limbo. It was bad enough Mon*Star having on his case, but the SilverHawks were too much. Then he remembered the Artificial Sun and its Amber Amplifier, and how Hardware goofed up on the energy gun.

"OF COURSE!" thought Windhammer. "This may be my ticket out of here yet!" After thinking of a good plan, Windhammer changed course to find Hardware and acquire an energy gun. A big storm was coming to Limbo and there would be no escape from it.


Calm Before the Storm FILE 4



There was a case in the files of the SilverHawks where Hardware made an energy gun, and Windhammer remembered it, too. When he landed on Brim*Star, the Storm Master went straight to the workshop where Hardware was working out the kinks in his Wicked Zoomer.

"Whatta hunka JUNK!" cursed the reptilian engineer. "I'd kill for some quality car parts right now!"

"Hey, Hardware!" called out Windhammer. Hardware turned around to see Windhammer standing behind him. "I need you to make an energy gun for me. The EXACT SAME one you used against the SilverHawks."

Hardware shook his head. "You've definitely flipped, Windy!" he said. "I nearly got blasted out of Limbo because of that thing!"

"Perhaps you didn't use it right-" suggested the Storm Master.

"ARE YOU INFERRING THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE WEAPONS?!" Hardware shouted, then calmed down and said, "Sorry. If you want to, OK. But, don't get yourself blasted, too."

"Thank you, Hardware," replied Windhammer and went off to get the Amber Amplifier from the Artificial Sun. All Hardware could do was fix the engine that was suddenly pouring smoke out of the Wicked Zoomer.

"Maybe I should call Triple A," he groaned.


Elsewhere in Limbo, the SilverHawks were battling Tempestra in what looked like a stalemate. She fired her scepter, the 'Hawks fired their lasers, with Seymour and Zeke caught in the crossfire.

"Ooh," whined Seymour under his seat. "If I knew there was gonna be fireworks, I would've made my cab fireproof. You know what I mean?"

"Tempestra," ordered SteelHeart. "Surrender immediately or prepare to be dealt with!"

The weather goddess would not yield and answered back with an electrical storm that got the SilverHawks and the cab short-circuited temporarily. "No one shall stand in my way!" Then, she flew away from the cab and the SilverHawks to find Windhammer.

After recovering, the SilverHawks returned to the Maraj with minor injuries due to Tempestra's electric surge.

"Well," quipped Skyedansuer. "A great ambush shot to hell. What now, Fearless Leader?"

SteelHeart grumbled something vulgar silently to herself and answered back, "We'll get help at Hawk Haven, smart-alec!"

"Come on, you two," said Bluegrass. "We're supposed to fight the enemy, not each other." SteelHeart and Skyedansuer calmed down for Bluegrass's sake, but were still silently arguing.

At the Artificial Sun, Windhammer held up Professor Power with a fog bank. "What are you doing here?" demanded the professor.

"I'm here for the Amber Amplifier!" replied Windhammer and pulled the amplifier out of its connectors. Upon doing so, the Artificial Sun was shut down.

Professor Power was shocked to see that Windhammer had a copy of the energy gun Hardware used. After Windhammer left, Professor Power called Hawk Haven.

Quicksilver answered the call. "Quicksilver here, go ahead" he said.

"SilverHawks," yelled the startled Professor. "Windhammer's got the Amber Amplifier and another energy gun!"

"Energy gun?!" yelled Quicksilver in fear. He and the rest of the SilverHawks knew full well of what the energy gun can do, although it wasn't much of show when Hardware used it the wrong way. But just in case, Quicksilver went to Stargazer's office and told the Commander about the energy gun. Stargazer was shocked to hear the news and sent Quicksilver out to stop Windhammer and dispatched the rest of the SilverHawks.

"Now hear this, SilverHawks!" boomed the Commander. "Windhammer has an energy gun and the Amber Amplifier! Three guesses on what he's gonna do with it! Stop him at all costs and bring back the amplifier in one piece!"


Meanwhile, Windhammer began to load the amplifier into the energy gun Hardware made for him.

"I think I see where Hardware slipped up," noted the Storm Master. "He matched like poles which overloaded the gun." Knowing this, Windhammer installed the amplifier matching positive to negative and vice versa. He then stashed it away under his cloak for safekeeping and went to challenge Tempestra.

Elsewhere, Mon*Star was beginning to lose his patience and his temper.

"Windhammer has been acting peculiar as of late," he angrily grumbled. "He's beginning to wear down my faith in him." Then, he turned his attention towards Hardware. "Do YOU have anything to do with these turns of events, Hardware?"

"No, boss," the startled reptilian answered. "All Windy told me is that he had business to take care of."

"Well," Mon*Star replied, "it's time for business to pick up!" He called for Yesman over.

"Yes, boss," slithered the serpentine lackey. "What do you want, boss?"

"Send out Time-Stopper to take out this vigilante! Then, prepare for transformation!"

Mon*star transformed into an armored demon. Afterwards, he hopped on Skyrunner and headed out of Brim*star with Time-Stopper following him.


Tempestra finally caught up to Windhammer in a barren area somewhere in the Light-Year Limit, aware that it was beyond the SilverHawks jurisdiction in Limbo.

"So, Uranos," she said. "At last we meet. It's time to accept your destiny." "Destiny cannot be decided by someone, Sylph," noted Windhammer. "I'm in charge of my own fate!"

"Then, prove your destiny to me!" growled Tempestra, and the two storm-makers collided. It was a battle of the weather warriors that gave new meaning to the phrase "stormy weather." First they used their wands, then their powers. When Windhammer knocked Tempestra's scepter out of her hands, it seemed he'd won the duel.

"I'm not defeated yet, Uranos!" she snarled. Tempestra had hidden in her robe an amulet containing the very same powers as her scepter. The Storm Master was furious.

"Our clan had a rule: one weapon per fighter!" argued Windhammer. "You call this upholding tradition!"

"You're the one to talk," bellowed back Tempestra, "when you joined the Mob!" She used the amulet and knocked Windhammer's tuning fork off of his hands and onto an asteroid. Tempestra was laughing arrogantly when disarming Windhammer. "Well, Uranos," smirked the weather goddess. "Looks like you're on the short end now. You're coming back to me completely intact."

"Maybe," he said, "but I can't say the same for you." Saying that, he took out the energy gun and fired a supercharged blast at the amulet. The blast also wounded Tempestra heavily as she screamed out in agony and pain. Windhammer had won the duel, but had also nearly killed her, a member of his clan. "I'm free," Windhammer said to himself, "but at what cost?" Leaving the energy gun behind, he went to his fallen foe.

"I guess you're free now, Uranos-" said Tempestra barely. "One thing bothered me for ages. Why have you joined Mon*Star?"

Windhammer was shaken, but he told her anyway. "Mon*Star is an evil being bent on universal destruction," he began to explain. "Our home world of Procellia was on a list of planets that wanted to have Mon*Star destroyed along with his power.

"If I didn't join the Mob, he'd have our home completely disintegrated. So I ran away from Procellia to protect those I care about."

This brought Tempestra to tears. In Windhammer's own way, he had protected her from harm.

"Uranos," sighed the weather goddess, "why don't you come back to me?" Windhammer sighed, lowered his head sadly and said, "I have my reasons. But for now, head back home. The day Mon*Star is permanently behind bars will be the day I give up the Mob."

Tempestra was too upset to speak and cried on Windhammer's shoulder. He healed her wounds in traditional way, then headed towards the asteroid where his weapon lay in wait. After Tempestra went back to Procellia, Windhammer got his tuning fork back and whispered silently, "I'm sorry, Sylph. This is for the best. But in my own way, I love you."

Just then, Mon*Star came by with Time-Stopper to Windhammer's position and have cornered the Storm Master.

"You have a LOT of explaining to do, Windhammer!" boomed the Mob boss.

"Time's running short, mate!" added Time-Stopper. "Speak up!"

Windhammer was about to explain when Starlight arrived. He had heard the battle from near the Light-Year Limit and went to investigate.

"Explain it back to Brim*Star, Windhammer!" ordered Mon*Star. He, Skyrunner and Time-Stopper headed back to the fortress leaving Windhammer to Starlight.

"Hold it, Storm Master!" commanded Starlight. "I've got you in my sights."

Windhammer took out the energy gun. Starlight felt like he was a goner until Windhammer removed the Amber Amplifier from the energy gun. "Take this back to the Artificial Sun." he said to Starlight. "Tell Hawk Haven the vigilante will pose no threat to anyone in Limbo." After giving his message, Windhammer headed back to Brim*Star, leaving Starlight confused.

"Commander," said Starlight. "you're not gonna believe this!"

Days passed after the incident with Tempestra. Limbo was finally back to normal when a freighter cargo ship was being held up by the Mob. The SilverHawks were there to stop the hijackers Hardware and Windhammer.

"Good to have you back, Windy." smiled Hardware firing on the SilverHawks.

"Thanks, Hardware," replied Windhammer as he shot lightning all over the place. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!"


EPILOGUE


The Copper Kid headed into the simulation cockpit for his astronomy test with Bluegrass, his pilot instructor.

BLUEGRASS: All systems go, Kid. Let's fly!

The Kid pushed the button to activate the domed area into a virtual simulation of the universe.

BLUEGRASS: Today, we're focusing on Uranus. Uranus is a blue planet like Earth due to its atmosphere, but it also has a feature. For 5 points, what is it? Here's a hint. Saturn has it, too.

KID: Rings.

BLUEGRASS: Right you are kid. Rings earn you 5 points. Now for 7 points, what is Uranus' axial tilt, or how many degrees from vertical does Uranus lean? Is it:
A: 5°, B: 45°, or C: over 90°?

The Kid looked at the screen and knew the answer.

KID: C: Over 90°.

BLUEGRASS: Correct! Over 90°. That's why the rings run vertically. 7 points. That's 12 points for today! Way to go, Kid!

KID: Thanks, Bluegrass.

Send feedback to: Shadowhawk.

Back to the Shadowspace
Back to the SilverHawks Fanfiction Homepage
Back to Guest Authors and Interactive Fanfiction