Colonel Hawkins looked at the three agents before him, his mind registering the sight as extremely familiar. He sat behind his mahogany desk, hands folded on its smooth top with a sense of calm, even though, on the inside, the Colonel felt no such thing. He took a moment to open a drawer and fetch a bottle of aspirin, swallowing one hurriedly, washing it down with a glass of already-available water. He was always prepared for these headaches. The one's that always seemed to follow one of these reports. Returning the bottle to its drawer and the glass to the table, Hawkins returned to his previous posture, fixing Panchito, Donald, and José with a stern gaze.

"Well," he began slowly, trying to keep his stress hidden and look on the bright side. "You caught the bandits. The five thousand dollar funds they stole have been returned to their proper owners and shareholders. Well done." That was the easy part. The colonel watched as the three birds in front of him grinned proudly at each other, before Hawkins dropped the other shoe. "That being said, what do you propose we do about the train?"

The smiles disappeared from the agents faces. José exchanged nervous glances with his partners, before looking forward again, seeming very hesitant. Of the three, he was the least outgoing; more cautious. But it also made him more level-headed. While, in certain situations, Donald was bad-tempered and hot-headed, and Panchito was energetic and always jumped into things without thinking, José was far calmer and strategic. It also made him the spokesman at meetings with Colonel Hawkins, seeing as both the other two's qualities weren't always the best thing when a mission had gone a little...crazy.

"The...train, Senhor*?" the parrot inquired carefully.

Hawkins fixed his frowning gaze on the Brazilian, angry, but not to the point of it truly showing. He never could really get mad at José; the parrot was just too mild-mannered for that. And, besides, the chaos that usually ensued the trio's adventures usually wasn't his fault. "Yes, the one that got pulverized in the process of your mission." He looked at them expectantly, waiting for one of them to answer. One always did. No matter how bad the mistake had been, the one responsible always owned up. Always. It had become almost like some sort of ritual. A mission would be finished, successful, but with a few minor problems. They would have a meeting. There would be scolding, apologies, and confessions. It was just how it always ended up. And this time was no different.

"Uh...How much will it cost to be repaired?" Donald asked uneasily, fingers intertwining as he twisted the life out of his sailor's cap, which he held in front of his chest. Why the duck still chose to wear his navy outfit was far beyond Hawkins' understanding. As was the reason behind José still wearing his usual yellow suit, black tie, and hat, despite offers of more fitting clothes for their occupation. Both birds had refused however, and that had been the end of that.

Hawkins turned suspicious eyes to the duck. Donald looked particularly agitated, which was giving him away, and he knew it. Hawkins nodded, understanding, but also wanting to wait and hear the agent out. As a Colonel, he had learned not to jump to conclusions. "About the same amount that the bandits stole," Hawkins answered stiffly, showing his disapproval.

The agents before him flinched, Donald more so than the others. Panchito and José lowered their eyes, trying to refrain from looking to their partner, thus giving him away. But Donald ended up doing that himself. With a gulp, stepping forward nervously, and shame visible in his expression, Donald confessed.

"It's my fault, Sir...I-I stopped the train too quickly. I got frustrated when I couldn't find the right lever and I just...wasn't thinking." He looked down at his webbed feet, waiting to be told off by his superior. "Panchito and José have nothing to do with it...You can take it out of my paycheck," he offered, his voice thick with depressed acceptance of his fate.

Hawkins sighed in tired frustration, dragging a hand down his forehead and the side of his face. "That is your paycheck, Donald," he muttered.

"Now, wait, Donald," Panchito spoke up quickly, moving forward to lay a hand on his friend's shoulder comfortingly, while stepping up to place himself almost protectively between his partner and the colonel. "It wasn't just your fault. We're a team, amigo...We do things together." He looked to Hawkins with determination. "We'll all help to pay for the damage we caused to the train."

Beside him, José readily agreed.

Hawkins peeked out at them from his hand, which he had been blocking his eyes with in an effort to try and ease his headache. He read the determination and extreme loyalty of the three standing before him, and he found he couldn't stop himself from smiling. He lowered his hand with another sign, a fond look taking the place of his annoyance. "You know, you three are going to be the death of me," he said, only half jokingly.

Panchito grinned back. "It has never been our intention, Señor."

Hawkins huffed good naturally. "Alright, we'll see. Meeting dismissed. I'll let you know when I need to dispatch you for your next mission." He turned to a frighteningly large pile of paperwork on his desk, which, in all honesty, did little to improve his aching head. "I have a lot to do, so I'll discuss this more deeply later on. Good day, gentlemen."

Donald and José turned to leave, but then paused when they realized that Panchito was still at attention. They gave their partner a questioning look, but Panchito motioned subtly for them to leave, promising them with his eyes that he would follow soon after. Exchanging confused glances, José and Donald left, closing the door of Hawkins' office as gently as possible.

Hawkins didn't even have to glance up from his work to know that Panchito was still standing there, waiting to be noticed. For the sake of annoyance, the colonel took his time rearranging the papers and setting them neatly in his drawer before turning his eyes back to the rooster standing stiffly at attention. "Is there something else I can do for you?" he grumbled irritably.

"Yes, Señor," Panchito answered seriously, but then his official, lower rank behavior vanished at once. He knew Hawkins as well as a son knows his father, and had known him nearly as long. When they were alone, he knew that he could drop the act and just be himself. Whether Hawkins approved or not wasn't even in the equation. "Come on, Colonel, give Donald a break. He was just trying to do his job." He paused, trying to read the colonel's impassive look. "Surely the agency can pay up the damage."

Hawkins smirked despite himself. "Are you saying this because you don't want Donald to have to pay, or because you don't want to pay?"

Panchito blushed a little. "It was a mistake!" he exclaimed, ignoring the first question.

"A very expensive mistake," Hawkins frowned.

Panchito opened his beak to argue back, but realized he had nothing to say in answer. He closed his mouth, eyes lowering to rest on the floorboards to the side of his feet. He fell completely silent, though making his displeasure clearly known. Hawkins looked up at him, taking in his frustrated appearance. The rooster sometimes reminded him of a brooding child, easily upset, but also easily cheered. He hated when he was like that. Panchito was so like his father, an agent who had been Hawkins' partner many years before. Murdered by a terrible villain, Hawkins had been left with the task of supplying Carmelo Quintero's widow and young son with whatever funds he could spare. Panchito was almost like a son to the colonel. A very hard-to-control son. And so much like Hawkins' deceased partner. Sometimes it struck the colonel just how much.

With another tired sigh, Hawkins ran the hand down his face once again. "Fine. Fine. I'll send a request to General Almaraz. Perhaps there is something he can do." Just like he expected, Panchito's sad persona was instantly replaced with a beaming smile.

"Gracias, Señor!"

The colonel leaned against the desk, waving a tired hand toward his friend. "Yes, yes. But don't get your hopes too high."

But Panchito was already headed for the office door, preparing to tell his partners the good news, even if it was a little premature. However, just as he was about to reach for the handle, the door opened hurriedly, a messenger pigeon rushing in, and Panchito had to hop aside out of the way.

"Marked urgent!" the pigeon chirped in a gasping, out of breath manner. He looked like he were about to drop. These messengers were very efficient, the fastest in the territory, but they were prone to exhaustion. Hawkins took the letter from the bird's shaking grasp, giving the pigeon a pitying look. "Thank you, Corporal Henson. Please, go and rest in the Mess Hall before you return to your post." The messenger gave him a thankful glance, not even bothering to answer as he slowly and shakily made his way back out the door, shutting it firmly.

Panchito watched as the Colonel opened the letter, noticing the furrowing brow of his superior officer. Curiosity getting the best of him, the rooster made his way softly back over to the desk. He waited a moment longer, then asked, "What is it, Señor? News?" Letters only came marked urgent for two reasons. Either really good news, or really bad news. There was no doubt that this was the later.

"You could say that," Hawkins breathed, eyes still roving over the paper's content. Then, with a nod, he handed it to Panchito as he explained it in summery. "Missing persons department."

Panchito's eyes widened at the words he held. "Of an entire village?!" he exclaimed in shock, the thought beyond his comprehension.

"It would appear so," Hawkins replied, folding his hands together on top of his desk. "The village is located in the Everhaze Valley Canyon, just north of Eldwood Post. It was a supply stop for many of our agents out there, as well as a source of in information."

Panchito continued scanning the letter, his seriousness deepening. "According to this, they all disappeared a week ago. No trace." He frowned, not liking those facts at all.

"Indeed." Hawkins studied Panchito with a smile. He could tell that the rooster was dying to solve the mystery. It was really quite humorous, how the agent could be so young and inexperienced one minute, and so serious, determined, and focused the next. With a light chuckle, the colonel caught Panchito's attention. "I am assigning this mission to you, Donald, and José. It should keep you out of my feathers for a while. Think you can handle that?" He had no doubt as to what the answer would be.

"Sí, Señor!" Panchito pipped, giving a formal salute. He started for the door again, at a much quicker speed this time.

"And Agent González..."

Panchito turned his head back with a startled jolt, surprised by the use of his last name. "...Sí, Señor?"

Hawkins smiled. "Just...try not to damage any more trains...Or government property."

Panchito returned the smile, knowing it was the Colonel's own way of wishing them luck. He saluted once more, before turning and heading out the door, shutting it behind him. Leaving the aging colonel to his mound of paperwork.


"WHAT?!"

Panchito flinched at Donald's shout, wiggling a finger in his ear as he sent his friend a wincing glare. "Sí. That is what Señor Hawkins says. He said we are to head out at once. There is no time to waste!"

"Especially if it has to do with something like this," José observed carefully. He fiddled with his tie distractedly. "Entire villages don't just disappear overnight for no reason. Something must be wrong." He glanced to Donald, as if for support. But Donald had a few more things he wanted to know first.

"Are you sure he said he wanted me to go," he intoned nervously. "I-I mean, after what happened yesterday?"

Panchito's expression softened with understanding. "Donald, we've all made mistakes. Me especially. You forget what I was like before you guys came to join me here. Caramba! I'm surprised I even lived through some of those adventures!" His eyes gleamed with pride. "But now, while I still tend to get a little..."

"Crazy?" José offered.

"- Overexcited," the rooster quickly rephrased. "Now I have you two to keep me in check. Just like I'm here to keep you two in check. As partners, that's what we do. We watch each other's backs." His expression became more sincere. "Which is a lesson I never would have learned without you both."

There was an warm, yet somewhat uncomfortable silence between them, a mix of good and bad memories forming in all their minds. Their first mission together had been quite the undertaking, and hadn't ended quite as well as they would have liked. Panchito had almost been killed. But it wasn't as bad as it could have been. And that was a good five months behind them now. Since then, they had really grown as a team, and were starting to be noticed by some of the higher up officials. Things were going well, or, at least, as well as such an occupation could be expected to be. Panchito had healed just fine from his injuries, and was back to working full time as an agent, much to his enthusiasm.

After several seconds of quiet, Donald ventured to speak up. "So...When do we leave?"

"Right away," Panchito declared, already marching toward the stables in an instant. Donald and José exchanged quick glances before scurrying to catch up.

"Aguarde*, Panchito! Wait!" José grabbed his friend's arm, pulling him to a halt. "But we just got back from a mission...Shouldn't we, I don't know, rest up before we head back out?" He didn't know about the other two, but he was still sore and bruised from the whole train incident. A good night's sleep in an actual bed would have been nice too. But the parrot knew, even before he had asked, what the rooster's answer would be.

Panchito gave José's hand a pat. "I know, mis amigo," he soothed gently. "I know you are tired, but Fort Cawford is low on agents right now. There are not that many Hawkins would see as worthy of trust to go on a mission like this. It's an honor, mis amigos..."

"And you're curious, aren't you?" Donald added softly. If there was one thing they knew about Panchito, it was that he had the unstoppable curiosity of a cat. It could be a virtue sometimes, but it could also be a curse.

Panchito sighed. "Sí." He gave them a pleading look, a gaze that both gave them free choice, but at the same time, no freedom at all to choose.

Donald and José exchanged looks again, before they both smiled and shook their heads in submission. Donald marched past the rooster, giving him a light push. "Well, come on. Let's go find out what's happening in the Everhaze Valley Canyon."

Making their way over to the stable, the sound of whinnying filled the air. Fort Cawford had an abundance of horses, seeing as it was basically the only source of transportation for miles. The creatures were well tamed, friendly beasts, that knew quite a few commands; tricks that, in a pinch, could save an agent's life. Most were young animals, spirited, with years of use still ahead of them. Panchito's horse, among them, was perhaps one of the wildest. In fact, over time, it had become quite clear that Señor Martinez would be ridden by no other agent than the rooster himself. Panchito was the only one who seemed to be able to control him. It was only because Panchito willed it that the beast allowed Donald and Jose to sit behind the rooster on his back.

The stables were large, housing a good seventeen or so horses, fed and watered, and prepared to leave at a moment's notice. The structure was built into the very wall of Fort Cawford, slotted windows facing inward toward the parade grounds, but none facing outward toward the desert. That would have been unwise, as it would have been a possible entree for unsavory characters. For the fort's protection, nowhere other than the parapets looked out over the desert wasteland beyond.

Stepping into the stable, Panchito saluted a large bear, who was leaning against one of the support beams, looking particularly bored. He was enormous, and rugged looking. Not a fellow one would want to get on his bad side. Panchito was dwarfed in comparison to the bear's great size, but that did little to deter the rooster, who grinned up at the larger agent with a cock of his head. "Buenos días, Recardo!" he greeted cheerfully, followed by the softer greetings of his partners. Panchito knew that Donald and José were still a little afraid of Recardo, not for any other reason other than his size. Of course, Panchito had used the bear as a training partner for Jose when he had first arrived, and that might have been a little traumatic, but they would get over that eventually, Panchito was sure.

Recardo's face lit up with a friendly, but toothy, smile. "Good morning! Going out on another case already?"

Panchito headed for the peg that held his saddle, calling over his shoulder. "Sí, the colonel's orders. Do you think that Señor Martinez is rested enough to head back out?"

Recardo gave his chin a rub, eyes straying to the horse in question. "I don't see why not. It's been a few hours, and he's pretty durable. Though, for him to carry all three of you might prove a problem." He smiled mischievously. "Which leads to something I've been meaning to tell you. A sort of...surprise." He pointed to Donald and José. "For you two."

Donald looked up from helping Panchito lower the saddle. "Surprise?" His voice was hopeful, not all that unlike a child expecting some special gift. "What kind of surprise?"

Walking down the long stable lined with horses, Recardo stopped halfway down, motioning the two agents to follow. They did so, eyes watching the bear curiously. Recardo gestured to the stable doors, side by side, with a grin that made him look almost fierce.

"I asked the Colonel about getting you two your own horses. He said he'd think about it, and, well, by golly, a few days ago he said yes. He thought that agents as active in duty as you should each have your own steed." He clapped the shocked birds on the back heartily, almost throwing them both to the straw-covered floor. "What do you think, eh?"

Donald blinked up at the beast staring down at him from over the wooden stall gate. He reached up to touch the soft, brown nose, and the horse leaned forward to meet his hand halfway. Donald chuckled, giving the horse an approving pat. "I think he's perfect!" he declared. The duck had actually been hoping for a horse of his own. Though Panchito was a perfectly good rider, Donald had never liked being stuck on a horse behind anyone. He liked being in control of what he was riding. This way, he would no longer feel uncomfortable and unbalanced.

José was a little less enthused. He had never liked horses, of any kind, finding them unpredictable and flighty, two qualities that made him very nervous. He didn't even enjoy riding with Panchito. The rooster's horse was wild at times, and the parrot had applied those characteristic to any horse he came across, whether it was true or not. He didn't hate horses, and he did, through agent training, know how to ride one, but he just wasn't one to find riding enjoyable. But, after all Recardo had done to get them their own beasts, it was the least he could do to say thank you, which he did. José reached up a slightly trembling hand, just as Donald had done, and gave his horse's nose a very light brush with the tips of his fingers. The horse gave a contented huff, and José smiled, feeling slightly more accepting of it's mild-mannered attitude toward him. "He's a good horse, Recardo. Obrigado.*"

Gathering their supplies, and saddling up their horses, the three agents prepared for the journey ahead. Everhaze Valley Canyon was quite a distance from Cawford, and it was turning out to be a cool evening, especially for the desert. Blankets were packed, the agents knowing that, despite the heat of the day, desert nights could be a stark contrast indeed. It wasn't long before they were ready, and the three birds mounted their steeds, directing them toward the fort gates, and out into the sandy world beyond.

Soon, from Cawford, they were nothing but specks on the horizon.


*Aguarde = 'Wait' in Portuguese.

*Obrigado = 'Thank you' in Portuguese.

*Senhor = 'Sir' in Portuguese.

Yeah! Chapter two! I forgot how much I enjoy writing these three! ;)