Chapter 11

Meanwhile aboard the God Phoenix Jinpei is pacing.

"Swallow… stop pacing. It's driving me insane", says Joe spinning around in his seat. "Assume your station and take a load off."

"Shut up Joe", replies Jinpei dropping into an empty seat. "Ryu can't you go any faster?"

"Listen Jinpei I'm flying as fast as I can. We've already covered fifteen of the islands, what do you want from me", replies Ryu shifting the God Phoenix into the fastest level.

"I know.. sorry Ryu for being such a brat", says Jinpei softly. "Maybe I should split off and cover some of the islands myself."

"No not yet", replies Joe. "If we start to run out of time I'll let you go, but for now we need to stay together. We don't need you running off on your own and being a hotshot like our commander often does."

"Oh and you don't act the hotshot yourself sometimes …Condor Joe", replies Jinpei.

"No comment", replies Joe. "How's our fuel level Ryu."

"We've got about a half of tank left", replies Ryu. "We can probably circle around fifteen or twenty more islands, then we're going to have to refuel. We should probably call Dr. Nambu and find out if he has made arrangements for refueling somewhere. I'd hate to think we're going to have to fly all the way back to base.. we'll waste time."

"I agree, we can't afford to lose time", replies Joe looking at the time. "Thirty-three hours left. I estimate that with refueling we'll have time to circle every island with about sixteen hours left until the deadline. I'm hoping we won't have to cut it even that short. Jinpei, get Dr. Nambu on the monitor."

Jinpei sets the frequency and Dr. Nambu's picture comes up onto the monitor. "How is it going Science Ninja team?"

"We've completed sweeping fifteen of the islands", reports Joe highlighting the completed islands on a smaller version of the map that Dr. Nambu had flagged earlier. We're about to head into the sixteenth and seventeenth which are very close together."

"Excellent progress Joe", replies Dr. Nambu. "No sign of them as of yet?"

"No, we did see a beached sailboat on island nine. It appeared it had been there some time, you may want to contact the Coast Guard. Some others may have become stranded", replies Joe. "I didn't see any signs of life though."

"Good work team, you may have solved someone else's disappearance at the same time", replies Dr. Nambu. "Jinpei how are you doing?"

"I'm fine Dr. Nambu. I'd appreciate it if you all would stop treating me like I was a baby", replies Jinpei folding his arms and glaring at the monitor.

"I don't think of you as baby", replies Dr. Nambu. "I would never have allowed you onto the team if I didn't have confidence in your abilities. You've proven yourself time and again on completing your missions and you've saved your teammates numerous times."

"You hear that Joe? Dr. Nambu thinks I do a good job", replies Jinpei smugly.

"I never said you didn't do a good job Jinpei. What is this? Pick on Joe day", replies Joe calmly.

"Jinpei, you need to get along with everyone", replies Dr. Nambu. "Put aside your differences with Joe and realize that he is in charge of you while Ken is gone. You need to give him the same respect you would give Ken."

"Yes Dr. Nambu", replies Jinpei sheepishly.

"Dr. Nambu we called you as we will be needing to refuel eventually. Is there a way you can set that up without us having to come back to base?", asks Joe.

"Yes that has been organized. You will report to the UN carrier "Antropolis". It will be stationed approximately twenty miles southeast of your present location. They will remain there as long as necessary to refuel you several times", replies Dr. Nambu.

"Excellent..way to go Dr. Nambu", replies Joe. "That will eliminate us from wasting time."

"Check off island sixteen Joe", interrupts Ryu. No sign of them. There is hardly anything on that one. Looks like almost barren beach."

"Got it", replies Joe highlighting another island.

"Contact me if you have anymore questions", replies Dr. Nambu. "If you find anything.. call me immediately and if you run into Galactor agents do not try to take them on…I order you to take evasive action."

"We can handle what comes our way", replies Joe.

"Joe remember G-1 and G-3 aren't aboard", replies Ryu. We can't use the super bird missiles.

"Damn you're right and even if we had thought to bring them they aren't in Ninja form", replies Joe. "Ken's Cessna and Jun's motorcycle are in civilian mode."

"That's exactly why you can't try fighting Galactor", replies Dr. Nambu. "This is strictly a rescue mission. If you locate them I pray that your battle will be on the ground and you don't run into any mecca." The monitor goes dark.

"Yeah I hear ya doc", replies Joe.

"Approaching island seventeen", says Ryu.

"See anything?", asks Joe picking up his highlighter.

"No..oh wait, wait", replies Ryu.

"Yes.. yes.. ", responds Joe getting out of his seat to get a clearer view. Jinpei runs to the front of the ship.

"What do you see Ryu", exclaims Jinpei.

"Oh sorry.. I guess it's a tourist location", replies Ryu. "I must say there are some hot babes down there on the beach."

"This is not the time my friend", replies Joe dropping back into his seat.

"It never seems to be does it Joe", states Ryu.

"Hey I didn't say we couldn't come back later", winks Joe to Ryu.

"Shut up you two and move on!", exclaims Jinpei. "Or I'm going to declare mutiny. I'm second in command under Joe at the moment."

"Go sit down or I'm going to make sure Jun grounds your ass when she gets back", replies Joe shoving Jinpei's helmet.

"Bully!", replies Jinpei going back to his station.

"I hate swallow sitting", replies Joe under his breath as he highlights the next island.

"I heard that", yells Jinpei.