Chapter 4:
Three Days Later:
Time passed slowly for Chris, he continued to act strong and defiant whenever Stone or Carter were around refusing to let them think they broke him down. When he was alone he dropped the act and let his fear and sadness out. He remembered the guilt and pain he felt when he was forced to choose between the animals he'd spent his entire life protecting or his brother's life. Now Martin was going through it and he hoped when this was all over Martin would be able to let it go and move past it the like he had. Throughout his time with Stone Carter would come to him sometimes with Stone, most of the time he was alone and he'd beat and taunt Chris. Chris had a gut feeling that something was going to happen once Martin brought the lynx to Stone and it wouldn't be good! He could do nothing to help Martin he was tied to a chair, he couldn't get free he had tried for quite awhile after he was first taken, but all he managed to do was tighten the ropes. His thoughts were interrupted by the door to the small room opening and Stone came in with Carter both smiling, he glared at them angrily as Stone spoke.
"Hello Christopher!" Stone greeted him.
"Stone!"
"I just came to let you know it's time to see if your big brother was able to get me my lynx!"
"I know my brother and he won't let me die! He'll have the lynx!" Chris responded bitterly.
"Don't sound so bitter Christopher! Where's that Wild Kratt positive attitude crap you two always have?" Stone asked.
"Untie me and I'll show you!" Chris answered.
"You know Christopher I'm going to miss your sarcasm when I destroy you and your brother!"
"You'll never destroy the Wild Kratts!" Chris said defiantly.
"Ah, there it is! I knew it was still in there!" Stone said smiling. "I do believe its time for the moment of truth! Come on Carter we have a call to make!"
A few minutes later the three of them were in the control room, Carter had positioned Chris beside Stone. Chris was silent as he watched them get ready to make the call, he meant what he had told Stone about Martin, but that didn't stop his nervousness. Stone looked at him smiling Chris glared back hoping Stone didn't sense his unease. He turned away, he hated being the cause of Martin's pain and guilt and it was because of Stone he was! Chris knew Martin would do whatever it took to get him back, and that included risking his own life to do it; of course Chris would do the same for Martin! Chris' stomach tightened; this would be the second time Martin's life was in danger because of Stone and if he didn't think of something quick this time he could lose Martin for good! His thoughts were interrupted by Stone, he turned to look at him he wanted to beat the crap out of Stone and Carter for everything they've put the brothers through, but couldn't.
"It's time Christopher! Let's see how your big brother did shall we?"
"He didn't fail!" Chris said as he starred at Stone.
"So much faith in him, it would be a shame if he let you down! Carter make the call!"
With Martin:
He paced the control room anxiously as he checked his watch for the 10th time. Time was running out and despite the four of them working for three days straight on the robotic lynx it wasn't finished yet. Aviva was trying to put the finishing touches on it, but it was going painfully slow, they had run into problems building it and because of them they had fallen behind. Martin knew Stone would be expecting him to fail and he'd have no problem killing Chris because of him. Suddenly the call came in Martin froze, he looked at Koki and Jimmy fear all over their faces, Aviva never stopped working. No one moved as the seconds ticked by the only sounds in the room were Aviva working and the computer alerting them about the call. Martin closed his eyes in defeat saying his apology to his brother for failing him when he heard Aviva speak.
"It's done!" She yelled smiling as she put it in its cage and turned it on. "Help me get it to the table, then Koki answer Stone!"
"It weighs a ton!" Jimmy complained as the fake cat began to hiss acting very much like a real lynx.
"I needed to make it as lifelike as possible!" Aviva said as they sat it down.
"Okay, answer Stone!" Martin said taking a deep breath.
"About time Martin! I don't like to be made to wait!" Stone said.
"I was busy getting your lynx!" Martin said angrily.
"You have it? Let me see it?" Stone ordered smiling.
"Let me see Chris!" Martin countered.
"You don't trust me Martin?" Stone asked.
"No! Now let me see my brother, then you'll see the lynx!"
"Very well, Carter show Martin his precious baby brother!" Stone ordered as the camera zoomed out and showed Chris with them.
"Chris are you alright?" Martin asked seeing his brother's bruised and battered face, he needed to stay calm for Chris' sake.
"I'm okay Martin!" Chris answered trying to stay strong.
"I hate to break up this lovely brotherly moment, but we made a deal where is my lynx Martin?" Stone demanded.
"Koki please show Stone the lynx." Martin asked as the camera went to the still snarling and hissing lynx Stone smiled as he spoke.
"It's truly a magnificent specimen! You did very well Martin, I'm very pleased!"
"I'm so happy!" Martin said sarcastically.
"I must say what everyone says about the Kratt brothers being the best Creature Adventurer's in the world is very true! I'm never disappointed!"
"Where do I bring the lynx, so I can get Chris?" Martin demanded.
"Start driving I will send the co-ordinates to your little pod in 10 minutes!"
"Hang on Chris I'm coming!" Martin said as the call ended.
"What's our plan?" Koki asked.
"I take the lynx with me, you three follow. When I get the co-ordinates I'll send them to you, once we reach the jet and I'm on board I'll go after Chris you free the animals and get off the jet!" Martin answered.
"Once the animals are free and we're off the jet then what?" Jimmy asked, as they got ready to go.
"I free Chris and we go after Stone!"
"What?" Jimmy asked. "You can't be serious?"
"I' am!"
"That's crazy! You two could get hurt!" Aviva added.
"Look, Stone and Carter need to be stopped! If we let them go they'll keep doing this and I won't let them hurt anyone again! I know it's dangerous, but I can't let them get away again!"
"Come on let's go Stone will be sending you the info soon!" Aviva said changing the subject.
With Chris:
Martin's words still echoed in his head five minutes after the call ended, he was coming! Martin was coming to save him and because of him Martin would be walking into a trap that could cost him his life! Chris felt the guilt begin to take over and forced himself to stop knowing that if he let his feelings take control then he couldn't help Martin. He needed to find a way to get free before Martin came with the lynx, he couldn't get free from the ropes without help so he decided to try and make Carter angry enough by taunting him and he'd untie him. He knew he had to wait until Carter was alone with him, Stone would stop him. Carter maybe a mountain in size, and he's extremely strong, but he lacks self control and is quick to anger both of which when added to his IQ of a five year old equalled the perfect unknowing accomplice for Chris! His thoughts were interrupted by Stone, Chris glared at him as Stone began talking about Martin.
"Looks like big brother didn't fail!"
"I never doubted him!" Chris replied smiling.
"Of course you didn't! Now that Martin is on his way my plan will finally come together! Not only will I have my lynx, but I will also have both Kratt brothers where I want them!" Stone said smiling.
"What are you talking about?" Chris demanded.
"Once your dopey brother steps foot on my jet I give the order and we take to the sky!"
"What?" Chris asked shocked.
"Then we'll go around the world capturing more animals for my army! Once I have a complete collection I will let Carter get rid of you for good!" Stone said smiling. "It's the perfect plan!"
"You'll never get away with this!" Chris yelled.
"Who's going to stop me? You?" Stone asked as he stood in front of him. "Carter send Martin the co-ordinates, then put our little guest in his room…we don't want him warning big brother now do we?"
"Stone you twisted…" Chris was cut off by more tape being placed on his mouth by Stone, Carter sent Martin the co-ordinates.
"See you soon Christopher!" Stone said smiling as Carter took Chris out of the room.
Later:
A half hour after receiving the co-ordinates Martin pulled up to Stone's jet, the others were hiding nearby waiting for their chance to sneak aboard. Martin honked the horn to let them know he had arrived, seconds later Carter and Stone came out, Martin had purposely parked beside the cargo truck so the team could sneak inside undetected. Once the team saw Martin, Stone and Carter go behind the truck the girls snuck aboard the jet. They headed below to the cargo bay and soon found a room, they weren't sure if it was the right place, but it was a good place to start. They checked the door it was unlocked, they went in and found the missing animals. Knowing they had a small time frame they quickly began searching for the keys. After searching for a few minutes they were unable to find them, Koki then noticed a small computer and rushed to it. Aviva continued searching not noticing Koki until she spoke about passwords, confused Aviva finally looked at her as she spoke.
"Why do you want to know about passwords?"
"This is the only way to open the cages and cargo bay doors!" Koki answered. "So, what would Carter use as a password?"
"Well judging by Carter's low IQ it would need to be something simple!" Aviva said.
"True, and going by his hate for the brothers Kratt it probably has something to do with them as well!" Koki added.
"Okay we don't have a lot of time…what could it be?" Aviva questioned Koki shrugged.
They tried five different times, but nothing worked they had to figure it out soon or their plan would fall apart and all their lives would be in danger. Aviva was getting frustrated, she couldn't believe that they couldn't figure it out, suddenly the lights on the cages turned from red to green confused Aviva turned to look at Koki who stood smiling.
"How?"
"Carter left it under the keyboard! Man he really is stupid!" Koki answered smiling as she pushed a button which opened the cargo door. "Is Martin on board?" Koki asked.
"Let me check my pod!" Aviva said, her pod showed Martin had just gotten on board now. "He's on board!" She answered opening the door.
"Okay, let's get these animals back home!" Koki said as she pushed another button and the cages opened. "Come on we'll sneak out while the animals make their escape!" Koki said as the animals sensing their freedom rushed out the door into the hall ignoring the two girls and soon found the open cargo door. Once all the animals were out Aviva and Koki smiling quickly followed rushing back to Jimmy, the rest was up to the brothers now!
With Martin:
After showing the lynx to Stone and Carter, Stone ordered two of his men to take the cage to the control room. Martin demanded to know where Chris was Stone assured him he'd keep his end of the deal and told Carter to take Martin to Chris. At first Martin was unsure about going onto the jet, but the thought of saving Chris was stronger than his unease and he followed them onto the jet. They had just made it to the control room door when an alarm sounded, and Stone's men began running around. Martin smiled knowing Aviva and Koki had been successful in freeing the animals, during the chaos one of the men informed them someone had freed the animals. Stone was furious and ordered Carter to find out what was going on, using the distraction Martin snuck off to find Chris. Unsure where to look he grabbed one of Stone's men as they ran past and holding him by the shirt against the wall demanded to know where Chris was. The man told him and Martin let him go before he rushed to free Chris. After running around he finally found the room and luckily, the door was unlocked, he rushed in and went to Chris quickly untying him. Chris stood he was a little unsteady from being tied to a chair for so long, but none of that mattered as they hugged. Chris suddenly remembered Stone's plan and told Martin as they left the room.
"Stone's going to take off with us aboard! Carter's going to do it once given the order!"
"You go stop Carter, I'm going after Stone!" Martin said.
"Be careful bro!" Chris said hugging him.
"You too!" Martin said as he watched Chris leave, he then took off to find Stone; this ended today no matter what it took to end it!
TBC…