Once the Monitor Tower was out of range, Thom turned on his communicator to find Danielle. "Angelwing, come in!" But there was no response. Then he tried the homing signals, still nothing.
"She must have turned off her communicator."
"Hopefully."
So the twins just searched for their female comrade. But to no avail, and they were starting to get edgy. Later on, Thom checked the watch on his left wrist. He frowned.
"It's nearly time to check in, and we still haven't found her. Oh DuCaine, the captain's gonna kill us when he finds out!"
His "You mean, if he finds out."
"Marc, it would be very irresponsible not to tell him. Last time you pulled that stunt, Dad demoted you to garbage duty for a month." He reprimanded.
"...true. So who's gonna tell the captain?"
"It was your idea not to say anything, Marcel."
"What?! Thom!' The drake snipped, but the older twin's glare suppressed him. Indicating that he should not argue with him. The younger twin groaned, defeated. 'Aw, feathers!"
Before making contact, the twins looked around for a safe place to do so. Then they found an old storage shed. Once inside, Thom stood at the doorway with a hand on his Puckblaster, keeping an eye out for Danielle, or any Saurians who might come. Nervously, Marcel opened his communicator. He shot a quick glare back up at Thom, then pressed the main button to talk to the captain.
"Cap-!' He squeaked, before clearing his throat. When he spoke again, his voice was normal. 'Captain, this is Marcel ."
"Copy that McMallard. Status report."
"Uh, ahem. Yes. Sir, we have a problem."
A pause. "What's that? Everything all right?" Another pause. "Where's Angelwing?"
Marcel cringes silently. "She, uh-she-"
"McMallard, Where. Is. She?!"
"Danielle!" Thom calls out in utter relief. Marcel looks up and sees the vibrant orange hair of the medic, waving in the wind as she runs towards their hideout.
"Oh thank Drake," he mutters to himself. "Captain, she's here, she's safe."
"Oh. Okay then. What's the problem?"
Marcel blanks, his eyes wide. "I'm ... I thought I lost my gun, but I found it. We're good."
"How in the world do you think you lost your gun?!"
"Have you forgotten who you're talking to? I'd forget my pin feathers if they weren't on my-"
"Is that Canard, you're talking to?" Asks Danielle, walking up to him.
"Yes."
"Angelwing, status."
"I'm sorry Captain, I got lost for a while. But please, don't blame Thom or Marcel." She explains.
"What do you mean lost?" Canard asks, his voice sounding a tone below yelling.
"Oh, this whole place is a maze, Captain, we got off course a bit. But we're on track now, and making good time. Over and out!" Marcel's voice rose with the quickness of his speech, and he slammed his communication unit shut before Canard could even respond.
Thom palmed his face dramatically. "We are so dead."
Marcel nodded sadly. "He's gonna make me watch the hatchlings for at least a week, I guarantee it."
Danielle cringed. "Oh dear. I'm sorry, you two. Sometimes I just shoot my beak off without thinking." Seeing her shameful expression, Marcel just patted her shoulder, reassuringly.
"Well...I guess we're just glad you found us when you did. Or we'd be in worse trouble."
"Besides, we were the ones not paying attention to you. Like we should've been." Thom continued.
Thom's communicator bleeped. Marcel said in slight annoyance "If that's Canard again, don't answer it."
"Y'know we have to." The drake reminded his twin.
He opened the device and a pattern of soft beeps sounded off. Danielle looked at him with curiosity. "Why is it sounding like that?" Thom gestured to keep her voice down.
"An SOS." Marcel whispered.
"Ambushed...Five survivors...need help...old building remains...South..."
Thom closed his communicator. "Let's move!"
"What?" Danielle squeaked, nonetheless following the twin brothers in that direction. "What kind of ambush?"
Thom opened up the communication again, listening. "It doesn't say. They're just repeating the same message over and over. It's likely set on repeat."
"Why can't they communicate?" she asked again, her breathing becoming more labored as they picked up their speed.
"Not sure," Thom answered her, focusing his sights on his wrist communicator that was now showing GPS coordinates of the SOS origination.
They weaved through old alleyways, down a few blocks, and turned left to skirt through some taller buildings.
"Should we call for backup?" Marcel asked as Thom slowed down.
"We probably should," he agreed, opening his unit. "Captain, come in." He frowned and tried again, before pressing a couple buttons on it. "I think we're in the hot zone."
"Hot zone?" Danielle asked, fearfully looking around.
"Saurians must've caught on to our frequency," Marcel whispered. "It's some interference on their end. Probably why the others can only send out that SOS."
"So, does that mean saurians will come?"
"Most likely." Marcel replied.
Then Thom stopped in front of an old foundation of a building. He pulled out his comm again, 'The signal is stronger here. Look around for an entrance."
"Stay with me, Danielle," Marcel added, seeing the medic's anxious expression. "You're not trained to fight."
Thom nodded to his brother and Danielle before heading to the left. Marcel motioned to Danielle and they both went right.
"Keep an eye out for any small openings, likely between debris," he instructed her quietly. "If they're holed up here, it's gonna be inconspicuous."
"Right," she answered, her eyes searching the building carefully. It was getting dark out, and it wouldn't be much longer before they had little light to work with.
Seven minutes had passed, and there was still no entrance until Marcel put his foot down on something metal, it made a banging, echoey sound. It sounded like a door.
"Thom, get over here."
The drake jogged to his brother and the dolly. There was a metal door that led to a basement. Lifting it open, they peered inside. "Who's there?!" A voice from down below asked. Thom cleared his throat, then whispered. "The game's at the pond."
"...And the chicks are in the nest."
"Lieutenant Thomas McMallard. With Marcel, and medic, Danielle Angelwing."