Runaway
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go"-Robert Louis Stevenson
The rain had begun to fall and it managed to find its way through the jungle canopy and onto Kit, soaking him to the fur. He was tiring out as he had been trudging his way through the jungle for the past few hours. He had made sure to keep near enough the edge of the tree line in order to keep the road to Tidewater Beach in sight. After another difficult hour of walking he came upon the town. The streets were dark as it was early morning. He exited the jungle and proceeded through the quiet streets toward the docks. The salty smell of sea water acted as a beacon and drew him toward some old wooden buildings and a couple of seaplanes. One was a four-engine PBY Catarina civilian model that was in a state of repair and the other was a twin-engine SP 19 Cormorant with an opened cargo ramp. Kit could hear snoring coming from the inside of the plane but his view was blocked by a bunch of crates bearing the insignia of the Miniversal Corporation.
Kit decided to take his chances and hide among the crates and he quietly tip-toed his way into the plane, careful not to wake the sleeping moose that was racked out on a bunk at the front of the cargo hold. He nestled down into a small gap in the boxes and was asleep within a minute. He slept so deeply that he didn't even wake when the moose fired up the engines and took his plane into the air.
The shaking brought on by the turbulence woke Kit from a deep sleep. He opened his eyes and for a moment he thought he was back at the Home. Only after the turbulence caused an orange to fall out of a crate and onto his head did Kit fully realize where he was. He was inside an airborne plane! This was his first flight and he missed the take off. He wondered how long the plane had been in flight and he was thankful that the pilot hadn't found him. He peeled the orange and hungrily scarfed it down. He stayed seated between the crates for quite a while as he planned what he was going to do when the plane landed. He decided on leaving the plane as soon as possible and heading into town to get some food, provided there was a town where he was going. He had no idea what the plane's destination was. Maybe he could find a pilot who would get him to take him on as a crewman. Then he could eventually work his way toward being a pilot.
"Well, I was wondering when you were going to wake up," came a voice from above Kit. Startled, Kit looked above him into the face of the moose pilot. CAUGHT! Kit thought and looked left and right for an escape route. "If ya lookin ta run kid, ya ain't gonna get real far, unless you plan on fallin."
"Look, I can explain, I,"
"Don't worry 'bout it kid I knows what ya are. Yous a stowaway aintcha?"
"Uh," Kit struggled to find the right words, "Um well I uh…"
"Yes?"
"Yeah," Kit piped up with bravado in his voice. "That's right, I stowed away and…"
"I can see the obvious kid. You another air hobo eh?" inquired the moose.
Air hobo? Thought Kit, "Uh-what's an air hobo?"
"Why you are kid," said the moose with a smile.
Kit stared at the moose, who was dressed in an orange tropical shirt and a pair of aviator glasses, with a look of confusion and said, "Oh yeah, I stowed away on your plane cause I'm an air hobo." Kit in fact had never heard of air hobos.
"Yeeeeaaaaahhhh," the moose drawled then added, "Judging by the looks of you, you're pretty new at this. Had to stop and think what an air hobo is haha, you're just a runaway who hopped a flight eh?"
Kit knew he was found out and decided to come clean with the moose, "Yeah, you're the first person I hopped a flight with mister. Wait! How'd you know I was here?"
"A good cargo pilot always checks his cargo before he flies. I noticed you curled up between the boxes."
"And you didn't throw me out?"
"No, course not. I'm gonna need some help off loading these crates so I thought I'd give you a free ride in exchange for your services. Fair is fair after all."
"And if I ran out as soon as we landed?" asked Kit.
"Trust me kid, you don't want to do that, there's a lot of cops with nuthin but time on their hands where we're headed."
"Where are we headed?"
"Port Snorsby. It's on New Gunnea Island and all of them Anglian colonists like their law and order."
"Anglians, aren't they everywhere?" asked Kit.
"You know what they say: 'The sun never sets on the Anglian Empire.' But don't worry nuthin, as long as you help me off load the cargo then you won't get in any trouble."
Kit thought the offer through and finally decided that it was in his best interest to take the pilot's offer, "Ok, you've got yourself a cargo-unloader."
"Good. Now what do I call you kid?"
"Kit McC-"
"NO! No no no no! An air hobo never gives his real name. Air hobos go by either their first name only or by a nickname. That's something ya better learn if yer gonna be an air hobo."
"Why is that"
"This one air hobo explained it to me; if they get caught and give up their full names then the tax people will find out and come and get em."
"Why?"
"Cause a lot of them quit paying their bills and took off cause they couldn't afford ta live like they were living."
The answer made sense to him. After all a lot of people had money problems nowadays so why not take off? "Well ok, call me Kit. And why would I want to stay an air hobo though."
"Well Kit my name is Albert," said the moose as he offered a hand to Kit. Kit shook his hand and the moose went on, "Being an air hobo is the next best thing to being a pilot. You travel all over and see a lot of places and do a lot of things. Plus it comes in handy if you don't know how to fly."
"I'm going to be a pilot someday," said Kit.
"Well you gotta start somewhere and I reckon being an air hobo is as good a place to start as any."
"Do you think I can watch you fly?"
Albert grinned and then motioned for Kit follow him into the cockpit. The cub took a seat in the co-pilot's chair and watched while Albert orientated him to the control panel. There was the ignition, the ramp control leaver, altimeter, air speed gauge, speedometer, and many other controls and switches. Albert explained to Kit that they had been flying for 4 hours and were due to land in an hour and a half.
Kit asked about Albert's history and the moose explained that he hailed from the great state of Montanya, 'Great Sky Country' he called it. He had learned to fly from his barnstormer father who was a pilot in the Great War. Once Albert turned 18 he got a job for a freelance cargo company based out of Frisco City, Kalifornia and ended up flying all over the South Pacific. He was 24 and had been flying since he was 16.
"Dad got me into the cockpit and taught me everything I know 'bout flying. He's real glad I got a job that pays well when so many people are hurting for cash."
"You don't mind being away from your family Albert?"
"I get to go home every few months. Plus I'm saving up to by this plane, start my own company, and be my own boss. I figure it'll be another year or two but I can make it. Sleeping in the Montanya Express saves on paying for a room."
"The Montanya Express? Is that the plane's name?"
"Sure is. Every pilot names his plane, even if he doesn't exactly own it," said Albert.
"Is that a pilot tradition?"
"Sure is Kit."
Once the plane touched down at Port Snorsby, Kit helped Albert off load the crates and place them in the back of a waiting truck. The bustling port city beckoned the cub with the smell of spices and food. He was starving and hoping to get something into his stomach soon. Once the work was done and Albert received his payment, the two of them took a seat on the ramp. An orangutan in a white uniform strolled up to the side of the plane and began to pump fuel.
Albert turned to Kit and said, "Well, I'd better be on my way Kit. I have another pickup to get too."
"What? You're gonna leave?" asked Kit
"Yeah, I got to head back to Tidewater Beach for another pickup."
"What about me?" asked Kit with more than a little uncertainty in his voice.
The moose looked at Kit and saw how alone the little cub looked. It was a darn shame that a boy this young was on his own in a place like this. He almost made the decision to invite the cub back with him but he knew that the boy couldn't risk going back to Tidewater Beach. It was too close to the orphanage in Freeport and Albert was certain that Kit had just left the place. If the kid didn't want to wind up back in the orphanage then he was better off taking his chances here. Finally he said, "You've got a lot to learn about being an air hobo Kit. Air hobos never take the same plane twice unless it's an absolute emergency. They always go and find another pilot to bum a ride off of or they do like you did and sneak aboard. They avoid the authorities like the plague and they learn to think on their feet. Adventure and excitement are two of their favorite words, they'll band together sometimes, and they'll even stay in a place for awhile. My suggestion is to go with the flow and stay low. Don't attract too much attention to yourself and be ready to beat feet if need be. Oh, and watch out for air pirates well you're at it."
"Air pirates?" Kit said, "I've heard about them. I've seen news about them in the papers and on movie reels."
"Then you'll know they're not nice people, specially this one named Karnage. He's a real dangerous guy… and a complete nutcase."
Kit didn't catch the part about Karnage because his attention was drawn to a low flying plane bearing the markings of Khan Industries. He looked back to Albert and sensed it was time for him to leave Albert and look for another pilot. "Thanks for everything Albert, I appreciate the ride and I hope you get to buy your plane."
"You and I both Kit. Now remember what I told you and you should be fine and maybe we'll run across one another sometime."
"Yeah, I'll definitely help you with your cargo again!"
The two parted with a handshake and Kit stayed at the dock as he watched Albert and the Montanya Express disappear into the clouds.
Kit ended up staying in Port Snorsby for two days. After parting with Albert, he went off to explore the bustling port city. He spent some of his money on an expensive seafood dinner and continued to make his way across the city. He realized that he had exposed himself when he ate at the restaurant and so he decided to keep a low profile for the remainder of his time in the port. He stayed at a cheap motel near the docks for a night and then spent the next night sleeping in an alley before deciding to hop a flight off of the island. That night was rough on him. He had a sore back from lying on the concrete and spent the night shivering. He had only a few newspapers covering him as a make shift blanket to keep him warm.
He was initially unsuccessful at getting a flight out due to a pair of belligerent dingo pilots from the nearby Anglian territory of Downunda. They chased him off after he approached their sea planes.
"Oy! You there! What'ya think ya doin' kid? Git away from here," yelled the shorter of the two dingoes.
"Hey Duncan, I think this little cub reckons he can steal a free flight outta here," said the taller dingo.
"Bleeding air hobos Roger. Get off our bloody docks lad if ya knows what's better fer ya!" roared Duncan.
Kit facing odds that were against him, turned and scampered back the way he had came. He had better luck an hour later when he sneaked into a crate of bananas and was loaded up into a large four-engine aircraft crewed by a rhino and a skinny monkey. Kit laid hidden for the entire flight and soon fell asleep. When he awoke and saw where he was he couldn't believe his luck, or rather his bad luck.
"You've got to be kidding me," Kit stated in disbelief as he stared at the familiar port of Tidewater Beach. "I made one big circle!" Kit's luck went from bad to worse as he felt a pair of large hands yank him up out of the banana crate. He now found himself staring into the face of the rhino.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here; a stowaway. Hey Dave what do we do with stowaways?"
The monkey appeared alongside the rhino and a sneer spread across his narrow face as he said, "Why we throw them out of the plane in mid-air Errol."
"Wait guys! You don't want to do that," Kit said with a hint of humor and cockiness mixed together.
"And why exactly wouldn't we want to do that kid?" asked Errol.
"Because you've just landed and it would be a waste of your time to get airborne again just to throw me out. Besides you've got cargo to deliver," Kit replied with an innocently cute smile.
"Good point little guy. That's good thinking, I appreciate that a lot," said Errol.
Kit let out a barely noticeable sigh of relief…
Kit splashed into the cool water headfirst after being chucked off of the dock by the rhino. He quickly surfaced to the laughter of the two pilots.
"Hey kid! Don't forget your backpack!" Dave yelled as he threw Kit's backpack straight into his face. The pack smacked him in the nose and he momentarily lost his sight for a few seconds. "Now get out of here before we decide to call the cops!"
Kit grabbed his pack and swam thirty feet to the nearest dock and heaved himself up. "Well it can't get much worse than this Kit," he said to himself. He had no idea how wrong he was going to be.
30 minutes later it got worse. As Kit was rounding a corner he bumped straight into a dog in a business suit.
"Watch where you're going young man!" snapped the dog.
Kit looked up into the face of Witherspoon. Mr. Julius F. Witherspoon. The agent of the Federal Department of Justice's Social Services Division and was tasked with ridding the airways of air hobos. It was a job that he relished and as an added bonus he had authorization to apprehend any juvenile offenders and take them to the nearest orphanage. He was well known back at the Freeport Home and more than a few of the children had been personally escorted to the Home by Witherspoon. At the time Kit didn't know exactly who he was, but that was all about to change. Witherspoon's hands grasped Kit on the shoulder and he stared into Kit's face. "Say, you're the runaway from Freeport. We've been looking for you. Men, I found him!"
Two large dogs stepped to flank Witherspoon, both had a look of maniacal glee on their faces. "Throw him in the truck and let's head back to the Home," said Witherspoon.
Witherspoon's two assistants moved closer to Kit but they didn't move fast enough, Kit unslung his still wet backpack and swung it up at Witherspoon's face. It connected and sent the agent reeling back as Kit ducked and rolled into the legs of one of Witherspoon's men, causing him to fall to the ground. He got to his feet and sprinted away for all he was worth.
Witherspoon stood up and yelled, "AFTER HIM!"
And the chase was on.
Kit ran down the narrow cobble-stone streets of the port town with Witherspoon's two men in hot pursuit. He had to dodge between several groups of people who were moving up and down the sidewalks. He narrowly missed hitting a large hippo and just missed getting creamed by a taxi cab. He jumped onto the taxi's hood and slid across it to the other side.
His pursuers were having a more difficult time negotiating the various obstacles in the way. The small cub used his natural quickness and agility to make sharp turns into alleys and over knocked-down trashcans and discarded boxes. The two chasers barely missed stumbling into a trashcan as they began to gain on him. Witherspoon on the other hand had returned to his car and was driving on the other side of the block. The agent was now scanning the alleys for the boy when finally he caught sight of him.
"There you are you little troublemaker!" said Witherspoon.
No one got the better of him, no one. He had a spotless record of apprehensions and no pint-sized orphan was going to get the better of him.
Kit continued to move down the alley until he noticed a car stop at the other end of the alley and proceed to block of his escape. Witherspoon Kit thought as he searched for a means of escape. He looked right and the left and finally saw a fire escape going up the side of a four-story brick building. He took another look in Witherspoon's direction and saw that the agent was now standing in the alleyway. Kit looked to the fire escape, ran to it, and began to climb toward the roof.
"He's going for the roof!" yelled one of his pursuers who immediately started climbing after Kit. "You go after him from the inside!"
The other pursuer ran around the building to the main entrance and headed up the stairs.
Kit reached the roof and found himself in a bind. He was certain that the one of Witherspoon's goons was on his way up the stairs and the other was almost finished climbing the fire escape. He had to think fast. The head of one of his pursuers appeared and Kit turned and ran to the other side of the roof hoping that there was another fire escape. There wasn't.
"Nowhere to run kid," said his pursuer. A moment later the second pursuer exited the building onto the roof. Kit was trapped.
"I got to hand it to you kid, you put up a good fight, but it's over," with that the two slowly advanced toward Kit.
Kit backed up and looked over his shoulder and that's when he saw it.
The two goons were startled when the little cub ran toward them screaming and they both instinctively backed up a step. Kit stopped and spun around and ran toward the edge of the building at full speed. He took a big step onto the short wall at the edge and jumped. His two pursuers stared in disbelief as the cub leaped over the side of the building. They ran to the edge and saw the cub fall.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kit yelled as he fell from the roof. He soared off the building in an arc and fell down into the bed of a trash truck. He landed with a splat and sank into the mound of garbage. He clawed his way up from the bottom of the pile as the stink assaulted his nostrils, he had to force himself not to throw up.
Witherspoon's two men looked down and saw that the truck pulled away and turned a corner with its stowaway. They both swore that they could see the cub grinning up at them.
Down below, Witherspoon watched in amazement as the boy sailed off of the building and landed in the bed of a garbage truck. He then saw his two men on the roof and ordered them to get down at once. Witherspoon didn't want to admit it, but he was fairly certain that his impeccable record wasn't going to be impeccable much longer.
In the back of the truck, Kit struggled to free himself from the pile of garbage. Once he had extricated himself, he jumped off the back of the truck and headed for the docks. Once there he threw down his backpack and leapt into the water. Better to smell like saltwater than garbage. He swam to the dock in a repeat of his earlier encounter with Dave and Errol, O=only this time someone was waiting for him.
"Here grab on." Came a voice…a girl's voice.
Kit looked up and saw a teenage girl raccoon bending down and offering him her hand. He hesitated for a moment and then took the outstretched hand. She leaned back and helped pull him out.
"That was some stunt back there," she said, "I watched it and then I decided to follow and see what kind of a master criminal would be crazy enough to jump off a building."
"I'm not a criminal," Kit snapped, "They're orphan chasers."
"I know that. But in their eyes every orphan and hobo is a criminal. I'm Sadie and you are…?"
Kit looked at the teenager and noticed from her clothes that she looked as if she had been living on her own for a while. She must be an orphan or a runaway too. "I'm Kit, thanks for helping me up and I'm sorry for snapping at you."
"No problem kiddo but we'd better be going before those guys find us and we're both sorry. Now come on."
Kit followed the girl as she led him into a wooden building whose sign read: Goose and Gander Air Cargo Service. "I know the pilots here, they're a husband and wife and they're friendly to air hobos. I'm planning on heading out with them today and if you ask, they may have some room for you too."
Kit thought it over quickly and decided that this was his best bet to get away from Witherspoon and his two goons. Besides, Albert had mentioned that air hobos would periodically join up and so he felt that there was no harm in going with the raccoon. He told Sadie he would and the girl smiled and took him to meet the pilots.
They stopped right before they entered the building and Sadie pointed to a symbol that was painted above the door. "See that?"
"Yes," Kit said as he looked at the symbol.
That is the sign that these pilots are friendly to air hobos. If you ever see that sign anywhere, then you know you're safe, otherwise you'll risk sneaking a flight from anti-air hobo pilots."
Kit took in the sign and committed it to his memory: a red circle with a '' that was leaning on its side the red circle enclosed a field of yellow. Sadie pushed open the door to the company and the two of them entered.
