Prologue
Martin poked his head around the corner into the Tortuga's cockpit. His eyes darted left and right before he cautiously ventured one foot around as well.
"Don't even think about it," said Aviva without turning. She and Koki were standing by Jimmy as he piloted the ship to their next destination.
With a gasp, Martin disappeared. Five minutes later, however, he was back, and this time, Chris had tagged along as well.
"Are we there yet?" Chris asked hopefully.
"If you two don't skedaddle and stop asking questions," Koki said, "we'll lock you in your rooms."
Without another word, the brothers made themselves scarce…but only for a little while. To the tech crew's dismay, they were peeking around the corner again within fifteen minutes.
"Now are we there?" Chris asked.
"Can you please tell us where we're going now?" begged Martin, giving them the biggest puppy dog eyes he could manage. "We can't wait any longer!"
"Guys," scolded Aviva, although she couldn't hide an amused smile, "we already told you it's a surprise!"
Chris and Martin sighed dejectedly, about to leave…
"Ladies and gents," said Jimmy, easing the controls downward with a confident grin, "welcome to the Kalahari Desert. It's a balmy one hundred and five degrees out there today without a cloud in the sky. Please sit tight and await further instructions while I, your handsome captain, proceed to land the aircraft—"
"THE KALAHARI?!" both brothers blurted at the same time, practically beaming with excitement. Then they turned tail and bolted out of the cockpit, heading straight for the exit even though Jimmy hadn't even touched down yet.
"Wait!" Aviva shouted after them. "We haven't landed! And the doors are still in—"
*THUD!*
The sound of the pair running straight into the tightly sealed doors resounded through the ship.
"—flight mode."
