"Where exactly are we, Unk?" Vaygar questioned. "We've been heading north for a few days now, and the constellations in these parts are way different than the ones back home."

"Well," the pit guardian replied. "I figured that since that storm came at us from the south, it must have continued to head north behind us. If that's where the storm went, it must have carried Ginger along with it. I say we keep heading north until we find a sign of her."

"But you didn't answer my question."

"Oh! My mistake, young one...Um...What was it again?"

"He wanted to know where we're at." Uklah reminded him with a frustrated sigh.

"Oh! Yes. I've browsed through a few of those atlases back in St. Aggie's before, and I'm glad to say they were worth the read. According to the maps, we're somewhere within the thin bridge of land that connects the North American continent to the South. I recall one of the countries names. Panama, I believe it was. We're most likely either in or near it. Not sure which, though. But there's one thing I can tell you. Within this range of small mountains and valleys, we'll be able to fly lower, and that way, we'll be more likely to encounter some sort of evidence pointing to where our dear general may have been blown off to."

"Hey! I see something! Down there on that cliff!" Phillip screeched.

In that instant, the Sooty Owl made a steep bank towards a small, protruding rock ledge jutting out of the side of one of the mountains. Upon closing in, the object stuck in the rocks turned out to be a familiar-looking tawny feather. Phillip could barely believe his luck.

"Uklah! Uklah!" he called. She would be able to further analyze the feather better than anyone else.

"What is it?" Felipe questioned.

"Oh, let's land." Phillip randomly suggested. "It'll be easier that way!"

Figuring that the situation must be of great significance, the group followed him to the ground in small spirals, landing on the grassy terrain before him.

"What'd...What'd you see?" Mario puffed. He was nearly out of breath from all of the flying they'd had to go through.

"This right here!" the ecstatic Sooty Owl exclaimed, shoving the feather in his face. He then turned and did the same to Uklah.

"Uklah! You're smart. Do you think you could maybe tell what kind of bird dropped this?"

"Most likely. I've read nearly all of the books on feather anatomy in the Tytonic library. I'm sure I could get at least a basic idea of what could have dropped it."

His fellow Pure One plucked the feather out of his talons with her own, then began to examine it. She put it just an inch from her eye, scanning its shaft, the ran her talon along its soft barbs. Finally, she pulled a loose secondary feather from her wing and held the to side by side. Her eyes began to widen, and a confident smirk stretched across her face.

"Ah-Ha!"

"What? What is it!?" Felipe squawked.

"No doubt, it's a Barn Owl feather! Secondary feather, probably from the right wing."

"Isn't that the one Ginger twisted?" Caesar added. "I saw what happened with her and the human that was leading that whole logging operation."

"Honestly, I didn't think it would have been a good idea for her to fly with that wing after that fight. But she kept insisting she was alright, and I guess that lead me to believe it wasn't as bad as it'd seemed at first. Seems as though I've been proven wrong."

"Anything else about that feather we should know?"

"It looks pretty damaged. Most likely by brine."

"What's brine, Uklah?" Vaygar asked.

"Just another term for saltwater. And this feather's clearly been exposed to it."

Phillip could barely contain his exhilaration.

"You don't think it might be..."

"It very well may! Now, where did you find the feather?"

"Up there! In that small cleft!"

Uklah turned her gaze toward the mountain. The small crack was facing south to southwest, the direction opposite from which the wind was blowing.

"Looks like the wind carried it this way until it got stuck there. I think Unk might be on to something with his wind theory!"

"Then let's keep heading northeast!" Unk announced. "Our search continues!"

"Unk," Mario sighed. "I understand that this is pretty groundbreaking discovery, but do you think we could maybe rest her for a bit and maybe refuel? I don't know how much more fatigue I can endure."

Aloiso nodded. His breathing was also somewhat heavy, and his eyes, though still fixed in a hardened stare, lacked the vital energy they had possessed in the beginning of their journey.

"It seems as though you're right, lad. Right then! Let's all take a breather before we get back in the clouds, shall we?"

The group only panted and nodded in response. The pit guardian gazed out upon his his small, yet valiant army with pride.

I see now why the High Tyto had chosen me to lead these young ones. he figured to himself. A booming warmonger among the likes of Stryker probably wouldn't let them at ease if their lives rode on it.

...

"See anything yet, Sam?"

"Negative. What about you?"

"Nothing yet. This is where the Commander said we might find something of value?"

"He got word from the geographic profilers that this vicinity is where most of the suspicious activity over the past couple of years has taken place. And he suspects the Shredders to be at the core of it all. If we stay within the area, we're far more likely to discover some sort of evidence."

"What kind of evidence?"

"Feathers, blood splatter, fallen armor or seals, you name it. Anything pointing to the culprit's whereabouts. Now keep your eyes peeled, Dale. We can't afford to miss anything."

The two eagles continued scanning the treetops for anything worthwhile. They would have to scour the area beneath the foliage after they had completed their round. Dale continuously blinked and squinted his eyes to clear his vision. He was fairly new to the ranks, and was less adapted to the fighting environment than the other soldiers, so he struggled to see in the black, moonless cloak of night, even with the aid of a flashlight. Fortunately, he had begun to make out the silhouettes of the trees more clearly as the minutes slowly dissipated. Odd, he thought, considering that the sunrise wasn't due for another five hours. Stranger yet, the light seemed to be coming only from the east, whereas the west remained bathed in darkness. Dale turned an eye toward the direction from which the light seemed to be shining. Resting in a small clearing, just a short distance away, there appeared to be a small, flat-roofed, building. Barely two hundred square feet, its roof was painted green to match the grass surrounding it, leading Dale to believe that whoever resided within it didn't want to be found out.

"Hey! Ten o'clock!"

Sam looked to the east. Following Dale's pointing talon, he was quick to see the grey-brown walls underneath the camouflaged rooftop.

"Good eye, soldier. Looks pretty suspicious. Think we should go check it out?"

"Affirmative. If you ask me, it's likely whoever-or whatever-owns the place could be hiding something."

"Something that might be tied to the missing birds?"

"That or the Shredders. Could very well be both. Stay alert, though. Those guys might not be the brightest, but they do know how to shoot a gun."

Dimming their flashlights, the two troops flapped lightly as they cautiously approached the structure. There didn't appear to be anybody outside, but there was light emitting from the spaced square windows, a sure sign that the building was occupied. Being the only light source other than their own, it was no surprise to Dale that he had been attracted to it quite so easily. Sam lightly perched on one of the window sills along the north corner, ducked, and peered inside, hoping nobody would sense his presence. He eyed the back wall, and saw two familiar figures exchanging speech.

"See anything?"

"Looks like they were right about the location."

"What is it?"

"It's the Shredders."

Dale sighed and rubbed his temples with a grim knowledge that war was on the rise. This was certainly an imperative find, one that Commander Scott would have to hear about as soon as earthly possible in order to save whatever traumatized souls could be detained inside.

"What are they saying?"

"Shh! I'm listening..."

Hoping the two birds inside would reveal something important, Sam pressed his earslit against the glass to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"I mean not to question you, mighty gyeong, but are you certain we cannot give them a bit more time? We have put much pressure on the Special Two. Perhaps they are closer to cracking."

"You heard my command, and you will obey! Unless you would rather join them in the massacre tomorrow."

"No, no, gyeong! It just seemed such a shame that we must deprive ourselves of potential soldiers."

"They will not join our cause, no matter the consequence. And for that, they must perish!"

Jugembulam's easily-recognized booming voice pierced through the glass window. Sam continued to listen in.

"As you command, mighty gyeong. I will not disturb you again."

"And one last thing."

"Yes?"

"The two new ones are to be executed first upon the first rays of dawn. The Tyto Alba and her spawn. I see what they have done to you. I am sure you will not question such a command."

"Oh, no, no. I will not."

"Wise choice. Now, leave."

Then there was nothing. An obviously shaken Sam fluttered unsteadily onto the high ground. Dale was quick to notice his distress.

"What? What'd they say?"

His partner could barely come to terms with what was being planned.

"They're going to kill them all."

"Who?"

"They have prisoners. They're gonna execute them! Go!"

"Me!? Go where!?"

"Back to headquarters! Go right to Commander and tell him everything! I'll stay in the area and keep an eye on them until you and the rest of the militia get back, and I'll call for extra backup if anything happens! And get them all here before sunrise! Go! Now!"

Knowing now was not the time to argue, Dale did as told, and flew off in a rush for the rest of the American Feathered Force. Sam retreated out of the clearing and into the low lying bushes rather than the trees, in spite of the present danger of land predators. Gun loaded and pocket knife secured, he knew he would have a much better matchup against a raccoon or bobcat than an armed force of North Korean killers. But the threat of wildlife was among the least of his concerns. What he wanted most was for the infantry to arrive before the sun did, so they would have at least have a fighting chance of putting the Shredders' diabolical scheme to a halt.