Air Hawk

“Are you okay?” the man asked. Anna Jane blinked at first.

“Uh… Who are you?” she asked. The man had on a black special ops uniform with a bright blonde buzzcut. His gun was strapped to his back.

“I’m sgt. First class Stanley Cameron,” the man said. “Nice to meet you.” Anna Jane took a look around. More guys in black ops uniforms walked around with supplies. Sand as far as the eye could see. The tents blocked out the sun.

“You’re back!” Logan said. Anna Jane saw her crew running towards her.

“Guys!” she said. They crowded around her.

“Are you okay?” Logan asked.

“Yeah,” Anna Jane said. She stood up.

“Where are we?” the girl asked.

“The camp of the Marshalls,” Stanley said. “We’re on R&R until our next mission.” George squeaked at her, clapping.

“Hey George,” she said. The creature squeaked and twirled around.

“What is that?” Stanley asked.

“George,” Anna Jane said. “George is George.” Stanley looked at her companions. Vivian and Logan shook their heads and shrugged.

“Right…” Stanley said. “What were you doing out here?” Anna Jane sat up.

“We crashed from the Air Boat,” she said. “We’re looking for Chronus.” Stanley went quiet.

“Is that right?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, nodding. Vivian nudged her in the side.

“Ow,” the younger girl muttered. Stanley gave them a little understanding smile.

“Why don’t you come with us?” he offered. “We’re heading that way too.”

“Really?” Anna Jane asked.

“That’s right,” Stanley said. A loud crackling noise filled the air. Everyone looked up.

“Attention personnel!” a woman’s voice floated from the speakers. “We will be boarding the Air Hawk in five minutes. I repeat! We will be boarding the Air Hawk in five minutes!” Stanley shifted his gear.

“Time to go,” he said. “You coming?”  Logan shrugged.

“Might as well, I guess,” he said. The cowboy followed the soldier.

“Logan!” Vivian shouted. The girls and George followed behind.

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This Air Hawk was big and black. Anna Jane gasped at the sight of it.

“Wow!” she said. Vivian rolled her eyes.

“Stop acting so surprised about everything,” she said. “It’s childish.”

“Let her be,” Stanley said. Anna Jane ran around to the boxes and supplied on board.

“Wow!” she said. “Look, Teddy!” The girl held up her bear for a look. Vivian sighed and face palmed.

“So stupid,” she muttered.

“I think it’s cute,” Logan said. Anna Jane blushed to herself.

“Attention men!” the lady said over the intercom. “Please take your places. We will be taking off in two minutes. I repeat! We will be taking off in two minutes! Please take your seats. That is all.” Everyone on board took their seats. Anna Jane sat giddy all over again. Even Teddy was buckled up. Vivian sneered at the pair of them. So stupid, she thought. The plane took off at noon.

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While in the air, Anna Jane took a little nap. In her dreaming, her mind wandered off to strange places.

Fine me. Find me. I want to go back to my home.

Anna Jane opened her eyes and looked around. Everyone was asleep or reading their mission briefing. The girl frowned to herself. What was that all about? Sounded important. Anna Jane rubbed her forehead as she looked out the window. Strange. When did those clouds get so dark?