Playing with Fire

"I don't know how you got so good at this game!"

Wheeler ran a hand through his dark red hair in exasperation. He was kneeling on the rug in the Planeteers' common room. On the coffee table was a wooden chessboard littered with black and white pieces. Gi sat opposite, grinning at his frustration. The pile of captured pieces on her side was noticeably bigger.

"Years of practice, my friend. Don't be too hard on yourself – you've only just learned it."

"Yeah, well." Wheeler sipped his coffee and smiled. "You know how good I am at losing."

"Uh-huh." Gi moved a knight. "Checkmate."

"What?" Wheeler spilled his coffee. "Damn. What? It can't be!"

"I beg to differ, my fiery friend."

'But … oh, man." Wheeler leaned back. "That's so embarrassing. We've been playing for what … fifteen minutes?"

"You'll get better," Gi laughed.

"Yeah, watch out next time, little mermaid." Wheeler glanced at Linka, who was reading on the other side of the room. She looked at him with a flicker of a smile before turning back to her book. Wheeler sighed loudly.

"It's been a pretty quiet evening." He flung himself onto the nearest couch. "A pretty quiet week, in fact."

"Well, we did help clean up after that tornado on Wednesday," said Gi.

"Yeah, I know, but that wasn't too bad. Hardly made a dent in the landscape. What I mean is, the eco-villains haven't been all that active lately."

"I am not complaining," said Linka, looking up from her book. "It's good to have a break. I've been able to catch up on my studies. As you should be doing, too, Yankee."
Wheeler looked hurt. "I've been studying. I've finished Myst 3."

Linka raised an eyebrow. She knew the young American was more intelligent than he liked to admit, but his couldn't-care-less attitude exasperated her. It was so far removed from her own conscientiousness and (if she let herself think it), she badly wanted him to do well. She put down her book and frowned half-jokingly.

"And what was that book I saw you reading the other day?"

Wheeler fought a smile, his blue eyes dancing. "Probably a comic."

"The Great War for Civilisation, wasn't it? Hardly light reading."

"Fine, you got me." He yawned, showing perfect white teeth. What was it with Americans and those teeth, Linka wondered?

"So, gang, what are we going to do to amuse ourselves this evening?" he said. "Ma-Ti's at home, Kwame's out with Mystery Date … it's just the three of us."

Gi was busy putting away the chessmen, but at that she paused and yawned dramatically. "Well, I'm exhausted … I won't be up for much longer."

"Aw, you're no fun," Wheeler smiled. "Linka?"

"I'd like to read a little longer," said the Russian. "Then I'll probably go to bed too."

She was wearing a baggy long-sleeved shirt, sweatpants and thick socks, her hair pulled back into its customary ponytail. Little wisps escaped to curl around her ears, and her eyes were vividly green in the lamplight. Wheeler felt the usual dull ache in his chest at the sight of her. Still, after six years. He swallowed, and hoped he hadn't been staring at her with naked yearning – again. He kept his voice light.

"Don't suppose anyone feels like going for a swim?" he asked hopefully. "Mermaid?"

Gi hesitated. "Well …"

"We might see some stingrays," he tempted her.

"Hmmm …"

Gi had hoped to leave the pair alone – their lack of fighting tonight had seemed a good omen – but there was nothing she liked better than swimming in the moonlight. Maybe her matchmaking could take a night off – Linka certainly looked like she had settled in for the evening.

"Okay, pyromaniac, let's go."

"Sweet, I'll help you put the rest of those little chess-dudes away." Wheeler jumped up and knocked into the coffee table, sending his half-full mug flying. Oh god … with a sense of impending doom he watched it tip up in mid-air (moving in slow-motion like something from the Matrix) and sprinkle its contents over … of course.

"Yankee!" Linka screeched. Her textbook was covered in brown splotches.

"Oh, babe, I'm so sorry," Wheeler was at her side instantly. "That thing had a mind of its own …"

Linka slammed her book shut. Her normally full lips were drawn into a tight line, and her green eyes blazed. "Sure, Yankee. Sure. Trust you to ruin a quiet evening with your clowning."

"Hey," he said, stung, "that's not fair, I …"

"Can't you sit still for five minutes?" snapped the Russian. "Grow up, Wheeler." She sprang to her feet and stormed out. A moment later they heard a door slam.

"Wow," said Gi. "That happened fast." She looked at Wheeler with a grin, hoping to make light of it, but saw that he was white-faced and grim. "You okay?"

She had to repeat herself before he heard. He smiled weakly, and gave her a quick hug. Gi loved Wheeler's spontaneity and affection – what Linka called his 'touchy-feely-ness' – and kept an arm round his shoulders as he talked.

"Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Just … we're not kids any more, you know? I'm kind of sick of being called … I just wish she'd see that I have grown up, but it's like to her I'm always this clumsy eighteen-year-old dork."

"I can see you have grown," said Gi quietly.

"Thanks, hon. But … you know … it's been a while now. I'm just sick of the fighting. Sometimes things are …" Wheeler waved his arms, unable to describe it, "just so, so incredibly good with us. And then sometimes it's … like tonight." He was silent for a moment, his red brows drawn together in a frown. "Maybe I need to grow up enough to get over this whole Linka thing."

Gi studied him. Wheeler had always been good-looking, and his boyish charm, smiling blue eyes and open smile hadn't changed. He had, however, filled out and matured over the years to become a strong, well-built man, and she wished Linka could see it.

"Don't worry, Wheeler," she comforted. "She will see."

He opened his mouth as if so say something else, but before he could Gaia's face appeared on a wall of the hut.

"Planeteers?" she said in her rich, distinctive voice.

"Just us two, Gaia," said Wheeler cheerfully. "What can we do for you?"

"I thought Linka was with you?"

"Um … she went to bed," said Gi tactfully.

"I will need you to wake her up in a moment. I know Kwame and Ma-Ti are away, but I will call them back to help you as soon as I can. Planeteers, I need you to go to Zimbabwe."

"Zimbabwe?" said Gi. "When?"

"Tonight. Something's going on there."

"God, what isn't?" said Wheeler. "That place is a mess. Where would you even start?"

Gaia sighed. "I know. There is so much to be done – but we can't do everything. I've had a message from a game ranger in Hwange National Park. Poaching has always been a problem, but now that the legal system has broken down so dramatically, it has escalated. He has noticed all kinds of animals disappearing – elephants, rhino, giraffe – in vast numbers. And worse …" Gaia's voice trailed off. "Children."
"Children?" said Wheeler and Gi in unison. "But … why?"

"That's what I need you to find out. In less than a week, almost half the animal population of the reserve has disappeared – and three children from the neighbouring village. Nothing has been found. This is too big for the rangers to handle on their own, especially with the political situation as it is. I need you to go there tonight."

"We're on it," said Wheeler. "I'll call Linka."

"I'll call her," said Gi, a shade too quickly.

Gaia raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. "Your contact is Tendai Mapfumo. He will meet you tomorrow morning. I'll get in touch with the others. Wheeler, I need you to take charge of this one till Kwame gets there."

"Sure, of course."

"Good luck Planeteers, and be careful. I'm sending you into a very volatile situation."

"I know, Gaia. I'll take care of the girls," said Wheeler with a grin. The holograph wavered and faded.

"So much for our midnight swim," said the American, running a hand through his hair. "I'll go get my stuff together."

"I'll tell Linka. Any messages from you?"

"No." Wheeler's mouth was set in a grim line. "Just tell her to hurry. I'll be in the Geocruiser."

Linka sat in her cabin, one leg tucked under her. Her textbook was open in front of her, but she wasn't reading. In fact, she had a ridiculous lump in her throat, and couldn't concentrate. She kept seeing Wheeler's blue eyes filled with hurt as she stormed out. Had she over-reacted? Probably. The mixture of emotions she felt around him seemed to have the same volatility as gunpowder – one false move, one word out of place and she exploded. What was it about the Yankee that brought her carefully constructed defences tumbling down? Whether he annoyed her, angered her, made her laugh of filled her with that strange, melting warmth, he demanded an emotional reaction. And got one.

Linka brushed a strand of her out of her face. A memory, unbidden, sneaked into her mind. A pair of blue eyes very close to her own, a kiss, a hand on her waist and a feeling of safety. Before she could dwell on it, however, there was a soft knock on her door. Linka looked up quickly.

"Gi," she smiled, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice.

"You okay, Linka?" Gi sounded concerned. "Did your book survive?"

"Da, it's not too bad," the Russian shrugged. "Gi, if you've come to play peacemaker …"

"No, nothing like that." The young Thai sat at the foot of Linka's bed and explained the situation. "We have to leave straightaway."

"Of course." Linka sprang up and moved over to her closet. "Is Wheeler ready?"

"Wheeler's in charge," said Gi, smiling. "Gaia specifically said so."

"Oh." Linka paused. "Till Kwame joins us?" Something irked her about the idea of Wheeler directing the mission.

"Maybe," Gi shrugged.

Another knock, and Wheeler's head appeared. Linka instantly became a block of (metaphorical) ice, but the young American was unusually cold and businesslike.

"Nearly ready, girls? The Geocruiser's waiting. See you in five."

And he was gone. Linka's righteous indignation deflated, and she was lost for words.

"Well, you heard the boss," said Gi with a wink. "Let's go."