THE BONDS OF EARTH
PART II
Kit led Baloo by the hand back to the cockpit, and over to Kit's seat, where the big bear sat down and strapped in. Kit took his place in the pilot's seat, buckled in, and slowly, deliberately breathed, in and out. He needed to do this - Baloo needed him, he believed in him, he had to come through for Baloo, now, to conquer his fear and bring this plane down. Papa Bear needed him to justify his faith. He removed the autopilot.
Baloo's mind was a whirl as he sat blindly in the co-pilot's chair. ~My eyes- what if I can't see? I'll never fly again! No! - can't think about that now. Kit needs me, he needs my help if he's gonna land this plane - he trusts me, I've gotta come through for the kid.~
"Take a reading, L'il Britches - get yer bearings and find out just where we are." Baloo said, willing himself to speak calmly.
"OK, Papa Bear." The pilot could hear the fear in the cub's voice, and also the effort to hide it. ~Kid's tryin' to be tough fer me~, he thought to himself. "Uh, looks, like we're about 12 miles out from the airfield, direct course. Ummm... 3400 feet, 175 MPH."
"OK, Kid. Yer just gonna need to start bringin' this plane down. Nice an' easy." Baloo groaned inwardly. They would have to fly right through a mountain pass, at night no less. He kept his voice calm. "You remember that pass, at about 8 miles out? We're gonna need to fly through there. Take the throttle back some..."
Kit pulled the throttles back - too much, and Baloo heard the engines sputter slightly. His ears picked up every detail of the plane's performance - they were all he had. "Too much! Little more throttle now..." The engines hummed back to normalcy. "Good, real good. Just ease 'em back... we're gonna take everything real slow."
Kit looked outside - he could see the pass, ahead, by the Sea Duck's lights, but only the eastern edge - to the west it was obscured by clouds. He fought down panic. "Uh, Baloo, there's some overcast...I can't see the western face."
"OK Kid. What's yer airspeed?"
"135 MPH, Baloo." Kit rasped.
"Ok, good. That's perfect, nice an' easy. We flew this pass a ton o' times already, Kiddo, you know there's plenty o' room. Just stay closer to the east side, where you can see the face. Not too close, but keep it sighted."
Kit eased the plane slightly to the east, avoiding the low clouds on the opposite wall. "Our elevation's 2400 feet, we're flying through the pass...." The plane was jarred by a force from below, and lurched. "Baloo!"
"Updraft, Kid! Just an updraft! Keep, er' steady, grab that wheel and keep 'er on course! You can do it!" Baloo reached out and felt for the boy, finally resting his hand on the back of Kit's neck.
The cub felt better with Baloo's comforting hand on his back, and breathed deep, gently fighting the wind currents. They weren't so bad, really... "OK, Papa Bear. We're OK..." Kit looked out and saw the landscape open up in front of him, and the lights picked up only air straight ahead. "We're through!"
"Good work, Kiddo!" Baloo yelled, patting the boy on the back. "All open space between here and the airfield, just keep bringin' her down nice and slow, get that airspeed down to about 110 and hold 'er steady there."
Kit nudged the stick forward and the plane continued it's descent. He eased the throttle back - by this time, he'd developed a pretty good feel for the response of the engines, and the plane slowed gradually but smoothly. "Uh, Baloo - we need to radio in, for clearance to land."
"Yeah, better let me do that L'il Britches. Don't want anybody askin' any questions. Hand me the mike." Kit pressed the mike into Baloo's outstretched hand. "Myopia control, this is the Sea Duck, over. We're about six miles out, request landing clearance, over."
"Roger, Sea Duck, this is Myopia control. You're right on time. Clearance for immediate landing, runway two, do you copy?"
"Roger Myopia, runway two, we copy. Sea Duck out." Baloo set the mike down. "Just me an' you now, Kid. Let's set this bird down." Baloo noticed that he could see some faint shades of light and dark now - but still no shapes. His heart raced - it was temporary, maybe! But no time for that, now... "Altitude and airspeed, Britches?"
"1000 feet, 110 MPH, Baloo. We're about four miles out." Kit was doing fine, but he tried not to think about bringing the Sea Duck down on hard, solid ground. He didn't have the more forgiving surface of the Pacific and 2000 miles of runway this time. ~C'mon!! he told himself. This is your dream, you've done it in your head, a million times. It's easy.~
"Keep that wheel forward, Kid - we gotta lose some altitude. Remember you've gotta be goin' at least 80 MPH when we land. And we gotta use the brakes this time. Except fer that, it's just like before. I know you can do it!"
Kit exhaled, brought the Duck closer still to the earth. 600 feet, keep descending... He could make out the airfield lights now, far off in the distance. "Runway two - that's on the right, isn't it Baloo?"
"Right is right, Kid. Just aim for those lights and split 'em. What's yer altitude?" Baloo grabbed the armrest with his right hand in the tension of the moment - the left he kept gently on Kit's neck.
"400 feet! Airspeed 110. " Kit realized he would need to lose more airspeed and eased the throttles back, as the plane continued it's descent. "Gear!" he shouted suddenly. "Gear down! 300 feet. Flaps. Airspeed 100 MPH..." Kit could see the lights clearly now, seemingly on top of them but still a mile away. He was drifting left, towards the other runway... the wind? He eased the wheel to the right. "200 feet!"
"OK, Kid - gear's down, you got that runway? Ease that throttle back, just a little. Keep yer nose up. And aim for those lights." Baloo was huffing now, in frustration. He wanted to SEE!
Kit glanced at his horizon - looked good. Airspeed was under 100, maybe 95.... He was down to 100 feet. "Still drifting left!" he muttered. "Easing her to the right, 70 feet. This its it!"
"Nose up, Kid! Nose up and split those lights. As soon as those wheels touch, cut the engines and hit the brakes! Remember, the rear wheels hit first, then the front! Nose too high is better than nose too low!" Baloo rasped helplessly.
Kit eased the throttle back a hair, and got the nose up a little more. They would hit any second! "OK, here we go!" He braced himself for the telltale screech of wheels on runway, and waited for one, two, three seconds that felt like hours. Finally, he felt the thump of contact and heard the squeal of rubber on cement.
"Now, Kid!" Baloo yelled. The boy eased the stick forward and the nose thumped into the ground, tossing Baloo and he about in their straps. He yanked the throttles back and threw all of his meager weight on the brakes. They screamed in protest.
Kit had used up about fifteen yards of runway before he'd contacted the ground, and the plane was hurtling towards the small outbuildings at the terminus of the runway, seeming, to Kit's terrified eyes, to be going ridiculously fast. Finally, he could feel the great bulk of the plane slowing under him, and the nose started to jerk towards the left. He yanked on the wheel, and straightened her out, weight still pressed on the screeching brakes. The Sea Duck ground to a halt about ten yards from the nearest building.
Kit and Baloo sat, panting, for a moment. Finally Baloo unstrapped and felt for Kit and, finding him, grabbed his head in both hands. "Told ya you could do this!" he panted, and planted a kiss on the cub's forehead.
The boy gasped, smiled, grabbed Baloo arm and shook it. They heard the rumble of a truck outside. "Kid - we can't let on anythin' happened here! Lemme into the pilot's seat and we'll pretend nuthin' happened."
Kit unbuckled and stood unsteadily. "But Baloo! The box - it's got powder burns on it! They'll spot 'em for sure!"
"Damn! Well, go back there and see if you can find somethin' to clean 'em off - whatever you got!"
Kit rushed back into the hold, grabbed a rag. He found a can of turpentine and dabbed some on the cloth, and proceeded to wipe off the discolorations on the box as best he could. For the most part, they came off. "Ready, Kiddo?" Baloo called.
"I guess so." the boy returned. Baloo reached for the control from memory and found the cargo hatch release. The hatch opened and a large dog in a maintenance uniform climbed up with a hand cart, looking suspicious.
"Everything all right?" he asked coldly. "That landing was a little - aggressive."
"No problem!" Baloo called gaily from the cockpit. "Just wanted to test my new brakes!"
The dog looked at the box, then glared at Kit. "What happened here?"
The boy gulped. "We had a small fire in the fuel line, and it spread to the interior. Pretty dicey for a few minutes."
The dog stared at the boy for a moment, then slid the cart under the box and slid it down and onto the truck. He walked back, and, as usual, held out an envelope - a thousand dollars in cash.
"Thanks!" Kit said, forcing a smile. "Nice doing business with you."
The dog glared at Kit for a moment, then turned and returned to his truck. Kit exhaled, pocketed the envelope and returned to the cockpit. He collapsed wearily into his chair. "Now what, Papa Bear?"
"Well, Kid, I guess we radio Rebecca in the mornin' and tell 'er we had an accident, and had to stay the night in Myopia. An' we hope I can see by tomorrow morning."
"We gotta get you to a hospital, Baloo! Then we'll worry about tomorrow." He sighed. "That wasn't quite how I planned my first real landing, Papa Bear!"
Baloo chuckled. "You did real good, L'il Britches. Ya did me proud. I guess all that teachin' really paid off. It's good to know the Sea Duck's flyin' with two pilots from now on."
Kit looked over at his father, smiling but clearly in pain as his eyes watered uncontrollably. "Yeah, that's right Baloo, two pilots from now on... C'mon, let's get you to a Doctor."
It was nearly noon as Baloo started the engines of the Sea Duck, still perched off of the runway at Myopia Airfield. The last night had been a blur to the exhausted Kit - but a happy one, for the most part. He had taken Baloo by taxi to a small hospital a mile or so from the airfield, where the pilot had been examined by a local physician. The prognosis was good - the big grey bear had been temporarily blinded by the flash, but even by then he was beginning to regain his sight. The Doctor was convinced that the problem would dissipate within days, and had ordered Baloo to wear a pair of dark sunglasses until it did. That was all.
They had spent a night at a small hostelry near the airfield, and despite his fatigue Kit awoke early and called Rebecca, telling her that there had been an equipment problem aboard the Duck, and Baloo had been temporarily blinded, but that the cargo had been delivered. Hopefully the pilot would be able to fly them home today. Hearing the fatigue and concern in Kit's voice, Rebecca had been sympathetic, and not asked too many questions.
When Kit returned to the hostel Baloo was awake, and reported that his vision was returning, although bright light still caused him pain. They ate a small breakfast, purchased a pair of sunglasses at a local marketplace, and Baloo decided that he could fly the plane. With that, they walked over to the airfield and departed Myopia.
They taxied down the runway, and Kit was glad to leave Myopia behind - he hoped he'd never have to return. He certainly hadn't wanted his first landing to be at the expense of his Baloo's health. Still, he felt a certain rush of pride - he had, in demanding circumstances, landed the Sea Duck!
"Kid, I tell you what." Baloo grumbled as he guided the plane towards home, looking strange in his dark sunglasses. "I ain't flyin' no more cargo for ol' creepy drawers, and Becky can kiss my shaboozies if she don't like it. I still don't know what's in them boxes, but anythin' you gotta protect with an explosive lock is too dangerous for my blood. I don't like bein' lied to."
Kit was silent. Baloo was right, of course - there was clearly more going on here than they had been told. Still, he wasn't sure just how Rebecca would take it.....
"WHAT? Are you in-SANE, Baloo?" Rebecca cried, as the pilot sat resolutely across from her desk. Kit sat glumly at the table, chin in hands.
"I told ya, Becky. I'm done - I ain't flyin' no more cargoes for that creep until I find out what I'm flyin'. Period." Baloo responded, jaw set and looking determined.
"But why? Why, Baloo? This is one of the biggest contracts we've ever had! The company's making money, you're making money, Kit's making money. If the client doesn't want to tell us what he's shipping, well, for a thousand a shipment I say, so what? He's paying for that secrecy!" Rebecca's voice rose in frustration.
"Because it ain't safe, Boss Lady! There's somethin' weird in those boxes - I ain't never seen boxes that size weigh that much. There ain't no candlesticks in 'em. I don't like bein' lied to, Becky. And besides, there's weird people hangin' around when we drop the stuff off and pick it up. I don't like the looks of 'em."
"Oh you don't, do you?" she replied sarcastically. "So because you don't like the looks of a client, we lose their business? We're not in this business to make friends, Baloo, we're in it to make money! You're going to have to do better than that, Mister." The pilot glared silently at Rebecca for a moment, no one saying anything. The Avgas truck noisily pulled up outside.
"Well, Becky, I wasn't gonna tell you, but, since yer bein' a stubborn ol' mule about this..." Baloo growled, and glanced over at Kit, who looked most unhappy as he sat at the table. "There's somethin' else - more like proof, ya might say. That box we shipped yesterday - and prob'ly the others too, if ya ask me - was booby-trapped."
"What?" she said, puzzled. "What in the world do you mean?"
"Like I said, Becky. Booby-trapped. There was no equipment problem on the Duck. I got blinded because that box was rigged with an explosive charge - and it went off right in my face."
"What? What kind of charge? What set it off?"
Baloo shuffled uncomfortably for a moment, the steeled himself. "It was in the lock, Beckers. When I was foolin' around with the lock the thing went off."
"What?! What were you doing tampering with the lock on a client's cargo? That's a violation of our contract! What kind of idiot are you?" She was furious now.
"Yeah, I kinda thought you'd react like that." the pilot said, shaking his head. "Well, lemme tell you somethin' - I ain't just takin' any job an' damn the consequences no more, Becky. I got responsibilities now - things have changed. An' when I got reason to suspect I'm bein' set up-"
"Don't give me that song and dance, Baloo! You just wanted to get a peek at what was in that box - you can't stand being left out of the secret, can you?"
Baloo stood and leaned across the desk. "Listen lady -if that's what you think, that all I care about is-"
Rebecca stood and went nose to nose with the big bear. "I don't think - I know! I know that whenever this business is in a position to succeed you come up with some way to screw it up-"
"Yer nuthin' but a lousy money-grubber, Becky! You'd sell me and Kit to the highest bidder if it would line yer pockets!"
"You haven't got a thought in your head, Baloo! You're-"
"STOP!" Kit yelled, from across the room, near tears. Both adults turned to him, surprised.
"Stop it! Why do you guys always have to do this? I-I..." he slammed his fists on the table in frustration and spun, facing away from them.
"K-kiddo, I'm sorry, but..." Baloo stammered.
"You're right, Kit -we shouldn't scream at each other like that, but this is-"
"Serious! I know!" the boy shouted. He turned back to face the two bears. "Baloo's right, Miz Cunningham - there's something wrong with this whole thing. He shouldn't have tried to open that box, but he did -and what kind of people would rig a box to blow up if you try to open it? What could be worth that?" The cub stood and walked over to the desk, facing Rebecca head-on. "Baloo was only thinking about protecting me, Miz Cunningham. He was wrong to do it, but look what happened. I don't think we should deliver for these people any more."
Rebecca stared at the boy, confused emotions on her face. Then, a voice came from the doorway - the Avgas delivery man stood facing them.
"I don't think that would be a very good idea." he said.
Rebecca Cunningham had seen some strange things happen since she'd taken over Higher For Hire - more than her share, when she thought about it. But this was pretty bizarre, any way you sliced it. Right in the middle of an argument with Baloo, (what could be more normal than that?) the gas delivery man had walked into the office and declared that he was a Federal Agent. Naturally, she'd been skeptical, but he'd flashed some very legitimate looking identification. Now, she sat facing the man - a darkly handsome leopard in his mid to late 40's - across the table at Higher for Hire, with Baloo and Kit seated next to them.
"Are we in some kind of trouble?" had been her first reaction.
"No, m'amm. We-"
"It's Ms. Cunningham."
"Yes. Ms. Cunningham. You aren't in any sort of trouble - not with us anyway. That's not why I'm here."
"Why the heck are ya here, Mr. - Mr.-" Baloo interrupted.
"Michael. Yes, Mr. Baloo. The relevant question. And I'd like to answer it for you, in as much detail as I can...But there are things I cannot tell you, for your own protection." the leopard said delicately.
"Why, that's just about as big a bunch o'-" Baloo huffed.
"_Please_, Baloo!" Rebecca silenced him. She noticed the leopard seemed to be casting a lot of quick glances in Kit's direction, as the boy sat next to her. He looked distinctly uncomfortable - he'd noticed it too, she figured. "Mr. - Michael? Can you at least give us some idea of what exactly is going on?"
The leopard smiled grimly. "It was not my intention to confront you with this now. But as I overheard your - discussion, it seems that your pilot has rather forced my hand." He grinned, almost warmly, in Baloo's direction. "May I ask - have you been following the news about events in Eporue?"
"I have." Kit chimed in. "I read the newspapers everyday."
The leopard, now given an excuse to look at the cub, studied him intently. "Yes, well, then you know, there are very serious and very disturbing events taking place there right now. The government of Alemany has exhibited behavior that can only be described as barbaric. We, like the rest of the free nations, are very concerned."
"What's this got to do with us?" Baloo asked impatiently.
"Mr. Baloo - I'm getting to that. This is difficult - there are things I cannot tell you. But let me say - events are taking place which, if allowed to continue, could place the Alemanians in a position to threaten not only Eporue but also Usland and the rest of the world. Threaten them in terrible ways. Unfortunately, through no fault of your own, you and your associates," he gestured at Rebecca and Kit, "have become involved. That is a fact - it cannot be undone."
"Involved how?" Kit asked, wide-eyed.
The leopard smiled at the boy. "Your father and you were correct in your instincts. You are, in fact, shipping something very dangerous. And very vital to the security of the free world."
"I KNEW it!" Baloo snarled. "I knew that Jones was a no-good rat! What is it? Have Kit and I been in any danger?"
The leopard frowned, considering his next response. "What you have been shipping - it has been *packaged* in such a way that you were in no direct danger - other, of course, than from the lock on the box." He smiled tightly. "I can tell you no more than that."
Rebecca had heard enough. "But - if this is dangerous material, why shouldn't we stop shipping it? Right now?"
"Miss Cunningham. I can tell you that it is vital to the security of the free world that we discover the source and destination of these materials-"
"Here it comes!" Baloo growled. He banged a fist on the table and leaned across to face the leopard. "Don't start in with yer patriotic talk, Michael or whatever yer name is. I've heard it before - how we all have to make sacrifices, we all have to put the country first! Well, I've made my sacrifices buddy! My family was my sacrifice! And all the stuff you told us about that last war was a bunch o' bunk - lies and stories to stir people up! It ain't happenin' again! I ain't givin' up another family to your politics. Find yerself another sucker." he stormed off and flopped into the easy chair.
Kit and Rebecca stared, open-mouthed, at the pilot. Rebecca was stunned - she'd never heard Baloo talk about politics of any kind, before, much less his family. "I'm very sorry, Michael, for his behavior! It's-"
The leopard held up a hand. "That's quite all right." He walked over towards Baloo and stood, arms crossed, looking at the bear. "Mr. Baloo, I think, were I in you shoes, I would react the same way. I understand your position, I think, better than you realize." He glanced over at Kit, who was staring at Baloo with something like pity in his eyes.
"Sir, when I was twenty-two years old I was drafted and sent to Eporue. I didn't understand much of the fight, but I went. I saw a lot of friends die. It was thew worst two years I've ever spent in my life. I came home, and tried to understand the reason why I'd been fighting, why my friends were dying. I tried, but I couldn't fully understand.
I finished college and dedicated myself to the pursuit of preventing wars, in the future. I knew that I could make a difference - I was young then - and I wanted to give it everything I had. That was almost twenty years ago, and I've learned a lot in that time. I learned that there are people who will pursue evil, no matter what barriers of logic and reason you throw in their way.
Mr. Baloo, I have seen things - well - things that I won't repeat here, but I see a future that's very frightening to me. I see a force for evil that will not be turned away by logic, reason or decency. I see that force running roughshod over the world unless we do something to stop it, sooner or later. And you have an opportunity to aid in that cause, now, and save countless lives, later."
The leopard sat down, stared at Baloo across the room. "I think perhaps I need to explain this situation in terms that are a little closer to home. I know your motivation." He nodded at Kit. "I understand your feelings. But the fact is that you are involved with some very dangerous people. If you simply refuse to deal with them, they will not only find another cargo firm to deliver for them, but they will be most suspicious of your motivation. That could be a very awkward situation for you, and your firm.
If on the other hand, you assist me - and I can promise you that I will place you in no danger - we will have the opportunity to follow this material to it's destination - and destroy that destination. We will have the opportunity to track it to it's source - and commandeer that source - or destroy it. There will be no more illicit shipments, because there will be no reason for them. Your relationship with the Alemanians will be severed, by them. You will be washed clean of the situation."
"Alemanians? So that's who we've been dealing with?" Rebecca was stunned.
"Yes, Miss Cunningham. Your "Mr. Jones" is, in fact, one of several representatives of Alemanian Intelligence, although I couldn't tell you for certain which one."
Baloo spoke, finally. "What happens then? Won't the Alemanians know we double-crossed 'em? Who's gonna look out fer us then?"
The leopard smiled. "We have - representatives - in place. By recalling them, blowing their cover and extracting them, we can direct the blame in a different direction. It's an old trick, been used for longer than any of us can remember. We can easily convince the Alemanians that they have an internal leak somewhere that's to blame. And, of course, we will monitor the situation, and you will have the protection of the Usland government."
Baloo groaned, and put his head in his hands. Kit walked over to him and sat on the arm of the chair. He put a paw on Baloo's arm. "Papa Bear - I know this is hard for you. But he's right -there are terrible things happening, and we have to do whatever we can. I'm not going anywhere, Papa Bear, don't worry. Besides, like he said - we're in this up to our necks now anyway, like it or not. At least this way we can break away clean and be done with it."
"He's right Baloo." Rebecca said, walking over to him. "We can't back away from this now, even if we want to."
Baloo looked at the leopard, a fierce anger burning in his eyes. He grabbed Kit and pulled the cub close to him. "All right, smart guy, we're in - you got what you want. But if you put Kit 'n me in any danger-"
"I promise you, Baloo - your safest course is cooperation with us. I've already devised a plan, and we've received approval to implement it."
"What do we have to do?" Rebecca asked, placing a consoling hand on Baloo's back.
"For right now, nothing. Until you receive another call from Jones. The next time he requests a nighttime pickup - it must be nighttime - call this number." He handed her a slip of paper. "And call it from a pay phone, collect. Ask for Michael. And, in the meantime - do NOT mention this to anyone, anywhere. That is absolutely vital."
Rebecca pocketed the slip of paper and sighed. Baloo hugged Kit closer, and a look of deep pain crossed his face.
The next few days seemed like weeks to Kit Cloudkicker. There was school, standard-issue cargo runs, and a lot of small talk at Higher for Hire. Rebecca and Baloo had tried to pretend as though things were normal, to go about their daily routines... but they all knew that they were waiting for one thing, one phone call - and then their lives would change, possibly forever.
Kit had something else on his mind, too - they hadn't discussed it, but he was pretty sure Baloo and Miz Cunningham would try to keep Kit off of their next idiot run. And he wasn't about to allow that to happen.
He left school on Friday and headed back for Higher for Hire, shivering despite his new sweater, which was thicker and warmer than the old one. It was an unusually cold day, for Cape Suzette, even if it was nearly November. He arrived home from school to find Rebecca seated at her desk, nervously drumming her fingers on it's surface. Baloo was nowhere to be seen. Kit had a terrible thought - had the call come, and the pilot left without him? "Miz Cunningham! Where's Baloo?"
"On the way back from Mango-Pango, Kit." she replied tensely. Normally, she always tried to put on a cheerful face around Kit, and he knew immediately something was wrong.
"The call came in, didn't it?" the boy asked, sitting on the desk.
"About half an hour ago." she nodded, and reached out for Kit's hand and clasped it. "They want a pickup tonight."
The boy closed his eyes. "I guess this is it then. I sure hope that government guy knew what he was talking about."
"Me too, Kit, me too. I think we should call now, let him know as soon as possible."
They walked over to the pay phone at the marine refueling station. Rebecca took a deep breath, squeezed Kit's arm, and walked into the booth. The boy stood outside and waited, Rebecca's voice muffled by the glass door. In the distance, he saw the familiar yellow silhouette of the Sea Duck as it looped towards the dock for a landing. Baloo would be home when they got back.
After a moment Rebecca stepped out of the phone booth and smiled grimly at Kit. "I Guess there's nothing now but to do it."
"What did he say, Miz Cunningham?"
"Not much, really. He said he has two people stationed in Point Diablo - he wants Baloo to pick them up there and fly on to Lasoapsia. He said that there'd be no danger - and that we'd be reimbursed for the gas, as if that mattered!" she chuckled bitterly. The woman and the boy started for home.
"Baloo flew in a minute ago. He'll be waiting for us." Kit said.
"Good. Let's just get this whole thing over with as quickly as possible. I guess I'm not going to get much sleep tonight!"
They walked into Higher for Hire and Baloo was in the kitchen, preparing a sandwich. He took one look at their faces and realized immediately what was happening. "Guess I better eat this." He smiled grimly and wolfed down the sandwich in two bites. "Dunno when I'm gonna get my next meal." He walked over and sat at the table. "Lemme have it, Beckers. What's the story?"
Rebecca sat next to him. "He said to fly to Point Diablo, and there are two agents there. They'll meet you. From there you fly on to Lasoapsia, and to Myopia. That's all he said." She sighed. "Not much to go on, is it Baloo?"
"You never get straight answers from these official types, Becky. At least Diablo's on the way. May as well get this over, no time like the present." He stood and turned towards the door. Kit grabbed his jacket. "Now, Kid-"
"Forget it Baloo." the boy interrupted. "Don't bother. I'm coming with you and you can't stop me."
"Try me, Kid!" Baloo said resolutely, jaw set.
Kit stared hard, fiercely at Baloo. "I'm going. We're a team, remember? If we don't stick together we got nothing. What would've happened if I hadn't been there last time, in Myopia, Baloo? Where would _I_ be if you hadn't flown to Port Wallaby and saved me from Karnage? We either stick together always or we lose, haven't you figured that out yet? I'm going and you can't stop me!" The boy opened the door and headed out to the plane.
"Kit!" Baloo called after him, more pleading than angry. He turned to Rebecca, a look of desperation in his eyes.
She returned his stare. "I can't tell him not to go, Baloo. I've long ago given up trying to figure out this weird karma between you two. He'll be all right." She walked over to the big bear and hugged him. "Be careful! And don't forget your jacket, it's going to be cold in Lasoapsia tonight." With a helpless sigh, the pilot grabbed his jacket and headed for the Sea Duck.
Baloo and Kit didn't say much on the way to Point Diablo. It wasn't a long flight and the pilot knew the way by heart. As they skimmed over the outer banks and Baloo began to slowly descend, Kit glared over at him. "Thanks a lot!" he scowled.
"What?" Baloo asked, taken aback.
"Thinkin' I'd let you do this by yourself! After everything! All we've been through... I can't believe it." The cub shook his head disgustedly.
Baloo chuckled ruefully. "I swear, L'il Britches - the way you think. You sure are a pip!" They passed the rest of the flight in silence.
After a few more moments the lights of Point Diablo station came into view - it was an isolated settlement on the bare, rocky coast, and the airstrip was mostly used by weather planes and the Coast Guard. Baloo had made numerous supply drops here over the years, dating almost back to his first days free-lancing. In it's exposed, windswept way, the place was charming, and normally Baloo had a soft spot for it.
Today, however, it had considerably less charm - it was a cold, grey evening and the place looked indescribably grim to the pilot in his current mood. He guided the seaplane towards the lone airstrip, and saw a few small planes on the ground. "Wonder what happens now." he mused, easing the plane to the ground.
"Dunno, Papa Bear." Kit answered, leaning out the window to reconnoiter. He seemed to be largely over his huff of a few minutes earlier. "The guy said they'd find us."
Sure enough, no more than a minute after they'd glided to a stop a small truck zoomed across the strip and pulled up adjacent to the cargo hatch. Baloo opened the rear hatch and he and Kit jumped down to the tarmac.
Two cheetahs dressed in black shirts and pants and wearing black packs stepped out of the truck and approached them. "Baloo?"
"You got him, Ace." The cheetahs extended their hands without introducing themselves, and Baloo shook them warily. "My navigator - and my son, Kit." he said, gesturing to the cub. The cheetahs, seemingly unsurprised, shook his hand as well.
One of the lithe cats opened up the rear door of the truck - several crates rested on it's bed, and the cat grabbed a cart as though to load them onto the Sea Duck. "What's those for?" Baloo asked.
The other cheetah replied. "Someplace to hide us, Baloo, unless you reckon we introduce ourselves to our new friends later."
The pilot and Kit shared a chuckle. "No need o' that, boys. Ol' Baloo's got a few tricks up his sleeve." He walked onto the Duck and gestured for the cheetahs to follow. He pointed to the deck and smiled. "Removable floor panels, gents - hiding a couple of nice man-sized storage spaces. Come in handy on more'n one occasion."
The two cheetahs stared and each other and smiled slightly. "Very good, Mr. Baloo. This is better - no suspicious extra cargo." the first one smiled.
The other cheetah closed the rear door of the truck and banged on it's side, and it pulled away. "Shall we get this operation started?" Baloo said, and the cheetahs strolled onto the plane.
"You're doing a real service for peace, Mr. Baloo - I think you should know that."
"Yeah, yeah. Gimmee a medal. I know all about service..."
The flight to Lasoapsia was uneventful, for the most part. The two cheetahs sat in the hold, talking quietly, seemingly not at all nervous about what they were about to do. Baloo and Kit shared the cockpit, occasionally discussing weather conditions or course adjustments, more to pass the time than anything else.
One of the cheetahs walked up and stood in the cockpit doorway - Identically dressed, Baloo still couldn't tell them apart. "Nice plane you've got here, Mr. Baloo. I'm something of an aviation buff - always loved the L-16 - a real high character aircraft. Overachiever. These engines aren't standard equipment though - Superflight 100's?"
Baloo was impressed - the easiest way to soften him up was to praise his plane. "Yup. Customized 'er myself, added a few nice touches here and there...."
The cheetah looked over the cockpit. "Yes sir, she's a real beaut. Bet you've seen some times in this crate, huh?" Baloo chuckled and Kit grinned. "And you - you're about the youngest navigator I've seen in these skies. What's your story, Son?"
"Sorry I brought him along - but the kid insisted, you know kids..." The cub shot a glare in Baloo's direction.
The cheetah laughed. "That's quite all right. In fact, if he normally accompanies you it's better that he's here - any change in routine can arouse suspicion. Not to mention you'd be flying without your wingman. We would never ask that you bring the boy, but, as long as he's here..." The man smiled at Kit. "So what's your story? How'd you get to be flying so young? What are you, fourteen?"
"Thirteen, sir." the boy replied. "You know how it is, been hangin' around airplanes since I was a little kid. Baloo was the same way. Listened and watched a lot - people don't wanna tell you stuff when your a kid, but they don't much care whether you overhear things."
"Kit's a dandy pilot, too!" Baloo said proudly. "Landed this baby in Myopia after I lost my eyesight temporarily - did a real bang-up job, too!"
"Is that a fact?" the cheetah whistled.
"Bang-up? Bad choice o' words, Papa Bear!" Kit scolded.
"Haha! Sorry, L'il Britches!"
"Sir -" Kit began
"Names Dan, Kit." the man replied.
"Dan - how can you guys be so calm? Knowing that you're gonna be doing something this dangerous in a few minutes?"
The cheetah laughed. "It's all part of the job, Kid. I got into this line of work for the excitement- and this is exciting. If you guys liked sitting in an office all day, you wouldn't be up here flying, would you?"
"Yeah, well, speakin' of excitement, Dan - we're not far out from Lasoapsia - you mind tellin' me just what you guys have planned?" Baloo asked the cheetah.
"Fair enough. I'll spare you the technicalities. Right before we hit the airfield in Lasoapsia, my partner's gonna ditch. You're gonna fly a southwesterly approach, and he's gonna jump about a mile out from the field. There's only one access road from that airfield, and it runs southwest. He's gonna hop that truck in the dark and - well, let's just say he'll do what he does best!"
Baloo whistled. "Howdy! Ain't that a kick! What then?"
"I'll tell you more later. Once we get the stuff on board. I'll be flying over to Myopia with you. Plenty of time to fill you in then - let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Kit coughed. "You know, I don't wanna sound - I dunno - but, since we _are_ doing this voluntarily, an' all - don't we deserve to know what this is _really_ all about? What's in the boxes?"
Dan looked down. "You do, son. No doubt about it. But some things I can't tell you. I just can't - I'm doing you a favor, believe me."
"Naturally." Baloo muttered.
The cheetah looked over at him. "You guys know what's goin' on? In Eporue? You follow that stuff?"
"Kit does. I had my fill of it the last time. Taught me ever'thing I need to know."
Dan looked at Kit. "I can't tell you why, Son - but I can tell you that if we don't stop them, the Alemanians are going to be in a position to do some terrible things. The people in charge there are not bound by reason and decency - they'll stop at nothing to get what they want. And what we're doing could do a great deal to hinder their efforts. That's all I can say."
"Same old." The pilot said. "Things don't change, Danny boy. They stay the same. There's always gonna be a new reason to fight, if ya look fer it."
The cheetah stared at Baloo for along moment, a kind of strange tension in the cockpit. "Mr. Baloo, Kit - your son - he's thirteen years old."
"Yup."
"Well, all I know is this. If I can do anything to make sure Kit never has to fight in a war, I'm going to do it. Five years seems like a long time from now - but it isn't. There are dark forces on the move and we need to do everything we can do to stop them so we don't have to fight them later. It might be enough, it might not. But I'm going to try. That's why I'm here.
It seems like you know something about this, Mr. Baloo. Maybe you lost somebody the last time, I don't know. But Kit has his whole life in front of him. He's all potential. I aim to see that he gets a chance to fulfill it, Baloo. That's why I'm here, and that's why you're here too. You can shut out the world but you can't hide forever. Sooner or later it breaks in. I know you love your son very much. Whatever we do may seem petty and political to you, but if you remember the last time, you, of all people, should understand how important it is that there _is_ no next time." The cheetah patted bear and cub on the shoulder and returned to the hold. Baloo and Kit stared at each other for a moment, and then each returned his gaze to the dark skies outside the cockpit, losing themselves in their own thoughts.
"We're about six miles out!" Baloo shouted back to the hold. "Kit, better get back there and show 'em how those floor compartments work."
"Right Baloo!" the cub said, and unstrapped his belt. In the hold, Dan's partner was strapping on a small parachute. Dan smiled at Kit as he walked back to join them. "Guess you better get hidden, huh?" the boy said, reaching for a crowbar.
"You bet, Kit." He turned to the other cat, and the two exchanged a few sentences in a whisper, then shook hands. The other cheetah headed up to the cockpit, and Dan turned back to Kit. "So - how does this work?"
"Simple. You just slide the crowbar under the corner of the panel here..." the boy grunted with exertion., and lifted a corner. "And then you just lift it out, and there you go." The cheetah grabbed the panel and pulled it clear.
He stepped down into the space. "Just tap on the panel twice when the coast is clear. I can't imagine there's that much air down here!"
"Don't worry, it won't be long." the boy said and slid the panel back down over the chamber. He returned to the cockpit, where the other cat was intently staring out the window, gazing at the dark landscape below.
"There!" he pointed. "That's the road - I'm going to have to come down in the trees, unfortunately. Can't risk jumping onto the road like that."
"What happens if you get snagged?" the pilot asked.
The cheetah grinned and patted his belt. "Cut myself clear and climb down - if I don't get tangled in the chute and choke to death! All part of the training." The cheetah checked his belt, pack and parachute. "Good luck to you, Baloo. Stay cool on the ground and you'll be out of here no problem. And thanks." He patted the bear on the shoulder and headed back to the hold, Kit behind him.
"Yeah, good luck!" Baloo shouted after him. "Crazy nut...."
The cheetah opened the cabin door and scanned the landscape below him as the Sea Duck slowly descended, Kit peering over his shoulder. "You ever jump out of a plane, Kid?"
"Oh yeah, one time. Lost both engines in a thunderstorm."
The sleek cat grinned. "Lots of fun it ain't! Gimme a nice smooth landing anyday." He shook the boy's hand and clapped him on the shoulder, then turned, jumped, and was gone.
"Good luck" Kit said softly to his falling form. After a moment his parachute, as black as his clothes, opened, barely visible from the plane, and he was lost in the Sea Duck's wake.
Baloo and Kit stood in the cargo hold, shivering from the chill and trying not to look nervous. The usual truck rolled up, and a coyote got out - it might have been the same one, it might not, who could tell - and prepared the crate in his truck.
The canine wheeled the box onto the Sea Duck with a curt nod at Baloo, and held out the clipboard for the pilot to sign. "No questions for me today?" he lilted sarcastically.
Kit groaned inwardly - he was hoping there would be no communication, but apparently Baloo's outburst from the last pickup hadn't been totally forgotten. The big bear shuffled nervously. "Aw, sorry bout that, Pardner. Had a long flight, ya know, I was a little irritable, ya know how it is. Ya know, I think-"
Kit sensed trouble - once Baloo got started it could be tough to shut him up. He screwed his face into a pathetic grimace and grabbed his belly. "Papa Bear? I don't feel so good. My stomach hurts. Can we go home now?" he whined in a high-pitched voice.
The coyote scowled and grimaced. Baloo turned with surprise to the boy. "Oh, uh, sure, Kid. We just gotta make our delivery and then we'll go home." He turned back to the coyote. "Sorry to cut this short, but looks like we better get going."
The coyote laughed a short, barking laugh. "That's what you get when you let _kid_ fly." he said derisively and walked back to his truck.
"And you can stuff it in your..." Kit muttered under his breath as he walked back to the cockpit and closed the cargo hatch.
The truck drove off, followed a moment later by the same black car that had followed it before. Within a moment they were airborne. Kit went back and tapped on the floor panel, and the cheetah pushed it clear. He emerged, chuckling. "Pretty quick thinkin' Son."
"Thanks." the boy said, and slid the panel back into place. They walked back up to the cockpit.
"What next, Ace?" the pilot asked the cheetah.
"Nothing - for the moment. I want to wait until we're clear of Lasoapsian airspace, then I get a look at that cargo."
The cheetah had found the spot he was looking for - a tree with a good overhanging canopy, near a bend in the road. He would only need a second or less, and the corner should provide that. He settled down on a branch and waited.
After a few moments he could hear the truck's engines laboring up the grade as it approached. He was counting on those noisy, laboring engines. He saw one pair of lights in the distance, then two. As they had suspected. There would just need to be a few yards of space between the vehicles - that was all he needed....
The truck approached, and he poised himself. With a spring, he launched himself onto the roof and splayed himself flat. The car would not be able to see him - if they hadn't seen him jump.
"What was that?" the coyote said to the uniformed dog with whom he shared the front seat of the truck.
"What?"
"I felt something - must've been a bump in the road, I guess."
The cheetah reached into his pack and pulled out a small metal device. He reached in again and pulled out a small tube of adhesive. He squeezed a dab onto the device and proceeded to attach it to the roof of the truck, near the cab. He crawled forward and waited for a few moments, scanning the road ahead of them. He saw what he was looking for - a steep crest in the road ahead. For an instant, the truck and car would be on opposite sides of the rise - not for long, but then, he didn't need much time.
He slid over to the right edge of the roof, and waited. The truck's engine complained as it climbed the ridge, them wheezed as it crested it. He sprung off the roof and landed in ball in the brush at the roadside. He pressed himself flat against the ground, suppressing a grunt of pain.
After perhaps two seconds he heard the car pass him on the road, and he stayed pressed to the ground. For a minute he stayed, and the two vehicles could be heard slowly receding in the distance. Finally, he stood, surveyed himself for lacerations, and finding nothing more serious than a few bruises, allowed himself a grin.
Now to head back and dispose of the parachute...after that, there would be plenty of time. Time was on his side now. He set off at a blazing sprint through the trees, retracing his path back to where he had come to rest a few moments earlier.
The Sea Duck was over open water now, perhaps a hundred miles out from Lasoapsia. Dan seemed satisfied. He reached for his pack and headed back to the cargo hold. "Time to find out just what we have here. I'm going to have to ask you boys to stay in the cockpit for a while, I'm afraid."
"That lock's booby-trapped, y'know!" Baloo called nonchalantly.
"Yeah, they trapped one booby already." Kit added.
The cheetah laughed. "That's one of the reasons I'd like you to stay up there, if you would. We have our ways, but it doesn't hurt to play it safe."
Kit cast a curious look over his shoulder, but all he could see was the cheetah's back as he hunched over the box. He turned to Baloo. "Papa Bear - how come - how come you never told me about... about your Mom, and your brother, and all that?"
"Strange time to bring it up, Kid! I dunno... Some things you just don't like to talk about. You know what I mean?" He cast a pointed look at the cub.
"I guess." Kit said softly, staring at the black ocean below them. "It's just - this whole business - I don't know what to think. I can't figure out what the truth is. I read things, my teachers tell me stuff... But how can.... I mean, what could possibly be worth it? Be worth - be worth-"
"L'il Britches - you gotta make up yer own mind about things. That's how life is. But I made up mine - made it up from experience. From facts, not speeches. I know how the world works. The only thing that matters is yer family, Kiddo - yer family and yer friends. Anybody tells ya somethin' different just wants to get somethin' from ya."
Kit stared out the side window for a moment, lost in thought. He turned back to Baloo. "Know what I keep thinking about?"
"What's that, L'il Britches?"
"Sasha. About her dad, and those people - that prison. And what I hear is happening in Alemany... I just keep seeing those faces, in that prison, behind those bars. That's all I keep seeing...."
"Kid..." Baloo struggled over what to say. "L'il Britches - I can't make up yer mind for ya. You care about those people - I do too! I dunno what's happenin' in Alemany like you do, but if it's as bad as you say... But there's always gonna be bad people, doin' bad things. You stop it one time, it'll happen again somewhere else, later. You can't stop it. All you can do is treat people like they oughta be treated, and help 'em when ya can. That's all ya can do. That guy back there - Dan - I'm sure he thinks he's doin' the best thing fer everybody. But he see's everythin' his own way, and he don't understand the way the real world works. None o' those guys do. Everything's a cause, fer them - and they don't care how many people they gotta use up to win. We're here right now, ain't we? Just do right by the people yer close to, Kid - and treat ever'body decent. That's the best thing anybody can do for ever'body else."
Kit looked at Baloo, then out into the night, his face clouded by confusion and doubt. There was so much he had to understand, to deal with...
"Got it!" Dan's voice shouted from the cargo hold.
Kit unstrapped and went back to peer through the doorway to the hold. Dan carefully removed the lock and set it aside. He reached into his bag and pulled out a thick pair of insulated gloves - rubber or asbestos, Kit thought - but there was something odd about them...
"Not too close, Son." the cheetah said without looking up. He put the gloves on and carefully lifted the lid of the wooden crate. He reached back into his bag and came out with sore sort of device.
"Baloo!" Kit whispered to the pilot and gestured for him to come and look. The big grey bear put the autopilot on and joined him in the doorway.
Dan took the device - Kit could see now that it had some kind of meter on it - and waved it in front of the contents of the box. It emitted a series of slow clicks. "What IS that thing?" he called over, as Baloo and he watched, curiosity holding them rapt with attention.
"I just want to make certain that this stuff is shielded properly, that we aren't being exposed."
"To what?" the pilot asked.
"Let's just say that this material would be dangerous if it weren't packaged properly. Fortunately the Alemanians did package it properly, looks like. Guess they didn't want to have to break in a new cargo service." Kit felt a shiver run down his spine.
Dan set the meter down and put some kind of mask over his face. "Hate to have to do this, boys, but I need to see just what's in here. A few seconds exposure shouldn't cause any problems, but stay well back."
"Man, I ain't never seen anythin' like this before! What kinda poison we been haulin'?" Baloo grumbled, a mix of anger and wonder in his voice. He pulled Kit behind him, and the cub peered out from behind his massive back.
The cheetah reached into the box and strained, as though trying to lift it's contents. "Guess you're not goin' anywhere. Gonna have to examine you where you're at." He reached in and gently lifted, and came out with a thin metallic box lid, perhaps 36" by 20". He strained under it's weight, and set it on the deck with a clang.
Immediately, Kit heard the meter device begin to click much more rapidly, even before Dan picked it up. When he held it inside the box it clicked at an enormous rate. "What's that?" he asked excitedly. "What's it doing?"
"Telling us to get that lid back on pretty quick, Kit." the cheetah answered. He allowed the device to register for a few seconds, then reached a gloved hand inside and lifted out a small bar of metal - strange metal, that Kit had never seen before. He examined it closely for a few seconds, then placed it back inside the box. Grunting, he heaved the metal lid off of the deck and hefted it back inside the crate, where Kit heard it contact with another metal surface. The device resumed it's slow clicking.
Dan stood and removed his mask and gloves, and breathed deeply. He turned to the bears and grinned. "Don't much care for that part of the job. Gives me the willies!"
"OK, hotshot - so what was that stuff?" Baloo challenged.
"It's a metal - a special metal. Nobody really understands exactly how it works, yet - but we're working on it. So are the Alemanians." He looked down at the crate and frowned. "Hate to even let 'em have this - it's a valuable load of stuff. But it's more important that we use it to find out where they're conducting their research."
"So what do you do now?" Kit asked the cheetah.
He reached down into his bag yet again - he seemed to keep everything in there! Kit half expected to see him pull out a pink inkara, but instead he pulled out a small metal disc and held it up for them to see.
"And that is?" Baloo asked impatiently.
The cat smiled. "A homing signal. We're getting better at these all the time - they get smaller and smaller. I'd like to place it in with the material itself, just to minimize the chance that they'd find it too soon, but-"
"Lead screws up radio signals!" Kit finished his sentence.
Dan laughed. "Very good, Son - you impress me. That is correct."
"So that _was_ lead we was haulin', huh?" Baloo mused. "Figgered it had ta be - nuthin' else that heavy. So the lead - blocks out the poison, somehow?"
"Yes, that's more or less accurate. You boys are pretty resourceful for cargo jockeys, Baloo."
"Cargo jockeys have to be resourceful, smart-guy. And despite what you might think we ain't stupid, neither." the pilot sneered
Dan held out his hands. "No offense! Meant it as a compliment." He turned and knelt by the box. "Now, we just find a nice cozy spot in here to hide our little friend....And when the Alemanians find him, with the locking device still intact, they'll have to assume at least the likelihood that it was placed from the inside - before the box was sealed."
"But - how do you set the lock again - rig it?" Kit asked.
"Well - that's actually tougher than picking it without setting it off, to tell you the truth." he answered. "But I have a few tricks left in my bag... Just in case, I'd like you gentlemen back in the cockpit, please."
"They're all danged crazy!" Baloo muttered and headed back for his chair. "C'mon, Kiddo - let's give this guy all the room he needs. We still got a plane to fly."
The Sea Duck cruised comfortably through the Myopian night, the airfield about twenty miles distant. The cheetah had prepared the crate and re-armed the lock, and now was making the final preparations to his parachute and pack. They hadn't discussed it, but Baloo and Kit assumed that he'd be following his partner's lead and jumping before they reached the airfield.
The pilot and navigator sat silently in the cockpit, the dim cabin lights doing little to obscure the brilliant display of stars in the sky around them. There didn't appear to be a cloud in the sky. Baloo yawned, stretched and unbuckled his safety belt. "Take the stick, L'il Britches." he said casually, standing.
Kit looked up at him in surprise. "Really?" he said, casting a glance back towards the hold.
"Yeah, sure, Kit. It's still my damn plane. You can handle it!" he said intently.
Kit sensed that this was important to the big bear - and besides, he was never one to turn down an offer to fly, especially at night. If he could handle this run with Baloo blinded, he could handle it with the pilot fully capable. "Roger, Skipper." he said, sliding into the pilot's chair.
Baloo sat in the navigator's seat. "I'll handle the landing, you take the approach. I missed it last time, Kid - and since I don't plan on comin' back to this hole again I wanna see you fly that approach with my own eyes!"
Kit knew that this was about more than himself, but it was still an opportunity to vindicate the pilot's faith in him. "OK, 17 miles out, airspeed 170 MPH, altitude 3800 feet. Reducing velocity to 150 MPH, altitude to 3000 feet.... now." He eased the throttle back, and gently pushed the wheel forward.
"You know the script, Kid." Baloo said calmly from his side.
Dan stood in the doorway, a look of astonishment on his face. "Mr. Baloo - is this truly necessary, given the circumstances?"
Baloo didn't look back. "Not necessary. But that don't matter. L'il Britches needs night flyin' experience and it looks like nighttime to me."
"Perhaps you don't understand the magnitude-"
Baloo held up a hand for silence. He leaned over to Kit. "Looks like about another six miles to the pass. Clear sailing all the way - couldn't ask fer a better view. Keep bringin' her down slowly and reduce airspeed, just like last time."
He stood and faced the cheetah, gently pushing him back into the hold. "I think it's you who don't understand, Danny boy. Yer making my wingman nervous, and guys who do that stay the Hell outta my cockpit. Leave the pilotin' to me, Mister - to me an' my kid. We'll get the Sea Duck down no problems. You just do whatever it is you gotta do and stay outta my way. Just what the heck _are_ you gonna do, anyways?"
Dan bristled for a moment, then chuckled and brushed Baloo's shoulder as if swiping some dust off of his shirt. The pilot did not smile. "Very simple Baloo. I'm going to jump out of this plane as soon as we're through Cataract Pass. The bug is in place - all I need to do is track it and report back to our friends back home. We'll put the Alemanians out of business inside a week."
"You'd better. I didn't drag my wingman and my plane all the way out there to have you screw it up. I don't know your world, Danny boy, and I don't want to. But just make sure you finish what we started."
The cheetah smiled dazzlingly. "Ever the gracious host, Baloo. A gentleman's cargo jockey." He looked around the pilot's shoulder at the cockpit. "The kid can really fly, huh?"
"He's an ace. Good luck." Baloo turned and walked back up to the cockpit and patted Kit on the back. "How're things up here?"
Kit grinned. "Thought you were gonna bail on me there for a minute! Everything looks good - we're about two miles out from the pass." Ahead, the Sea Duck's lights and the pale moonglow illuminated the mountain gap, now visible on both faces. It looked formidable, but less so than the last time. It was much wider than the cliffs guarding Cape Suzette, but less smooth - jagged shards of mountain stuck out from the rock faces on either side. "You want the stick back?
"Naw, Kid - you take it. You kin handle this, no problem."
Dan stuck his head through the cockpit door, parachute strapped on. "About that time, boys. As soon as you clear the pass, Kid, gimme a holler - I'll look for a spot and ditch. Y'know Kid, you're a helluva trooper. Hope you consider coming to work for the good guys in a few years." The cheetah saluted crisply. "Gentlemen - thank you for your service. Clear skies." He turned and disappeared into the hold, and the bear and cub could hear the cargo door opening.
They were almost in the pass now. Kit steered the Duck towards the center, leaving plenty of room on either side. "Remember the-" Baloo began
"Updrafts!" Kit finished with a grin. "No problem skipper. 2500 feet now, 125 MPH, we're right in the pass now..." the boy made small steering adjustments as the updrafts rocked the plane slightly. "Giving her a little port rudder... On track.... OK, we're through!" He turned towards the cabin. "We're out, Dan! Good luck!"
"Gentlemen!" The cheetah yelled, and then there was silence. Baloo caught a glimpse of the silhouette of the cheetah's chute as it opened behind them.
"Wow." Kit said.
"With all that hot wind, hope he doesn't get blown off course!" Baloo muttered. He walked back to the hold and slammed the cargo door shut. "Well, Kid", he said with a pat on the back, "With all that weird stuff on board I think I'll land this crate."
"Roger!" the boy said and slipped out of the pilot's chair. He still wasn't sure exactly why Baloo had allowed him to fly the approach, but there had been a battle of wills going on - he was sure of that - and he was just as sure that he'd been at the center of it.
"Gonna have to come up with some new ways to challenge you, Kid!" Baloo grinned at him as he took his seat and buckled in. "This is getting too danged easy! Maybe we'll fly you through Merkle Pass next."
"Let's just get the Duck on the ground, Papa Bear - get that stuff off the plane and I hope we never see it or Myopia again!"
"Amen, Kiddo!" the pilot echoed, and guided the yellow seaplane in for a landing.
Both Baloo and Kit half expected trouble on the ground in Myopia - it just didn't seem fitting that this whole business should end routinely, with another thousand dollars in their pockets. But it had been an entirely mundane drop - the dog had picked up the box, carted it away and handed them an envelope. The truck drove off, they were cleared for takeoff, and that was that.
Baloo looked at Kit as the cleared the runway and set course for home. "That's it?"
Kit shrugged. "I guess so. I wonder what's gonna happen now - with all this stuff about the special metal, and the Alemanians, and all that."
"No concern of ours anymore, Kid. Our little experiment in international politics is over! And none too soon if ya ask me."
Kit looked out the window, thoughtfully. The world certainly was a weird place. There was always stuff going on that you never heard about - if it didn't effect your life it didn't even happen as far as you were concerned. But it _did_ still happen. It was all too much to think about right now. He pulled his legs up and curled up on the seat. "I'm gonna get some winks, Papa Bear. Wake me when we get home..."
"FOUR hours, Baloo!" Rebecca Cunningham yelled. "You were four hours late delivering those Kumquats! And I don't want to hear any lame excuses about pirates, or hurricanes..."
"But I'm tellin_ ya lady, they was everywhere! Musty been sixty planes, mebbe more. Why, it was all I could do with my heroic flyin' just ta avoid em, ain't that right Kit?"
"Uh, right Baloo." the cub said glumly, sitting at the table and reading the newspaper. "Sixty at least." The last week had been back to normal - and all that that carried along with it.
"Honestly, Baloo - if you tick off one more client, I'm gonna have to start docking your pay. I mean it this time, Mister!"
"Aw, lighten up boss-lady! Most o' those stuffed-shirts could use a little lesson in patience anyways."
"Baloo! How dare you-"
"Telephone repairman!" A voice called, and a uniformed man with a toolbelt walked through the door.
"Telephone?" Rebecca asked, puzzled. "We didn't report any problems with the phone!"
"Hmmm." said the man, studying his clipboard. He looked up from the clipboard and removed his hard hat, revealing a dark-eyed leopard visage. "Says something there about unfinished business."
The leopard, Baloo and Kit sat at the table, and Rebecca poured three cups of coffee and joined them. "Thank you." the cat smiled politely, and took a sip of coffee.
"Now Mr. - ah yes, Michael? Perhaps you can tell us the reason for your visit? It was my understanding that Higher for Hire had completed our part in this situation."
"Yeah, I'm on pins and needles, Mikey!" Baloo said sarcastically. "If you think I'm runnin' any more errands-"
"No, Mr. Baloo." the leopard interrupted. Kit had the same uncomfortable sense as before, that the man seemed to be paying an inordinate amount of attention to him. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"So why _are_ you here then, Michael?" Rebecca asked gently.
"The truth." he replied with a frown.
"Well, that was helpful." Baloo muttered.
"What do you mean - the truth?" Kit asked sharply.
The leopard looked down at the boy and a strange pain flashed in his eyes. "I've spent the last nineteen years of my life keeping secrets. Lies, deceptions - all for cause, of course. Sooner or later there has to be a time for the truth."
The three bears were clearly captured, now - this strange man had their complete attention. "Let me say, first of all, that in the matter at hand - even if I can't tell you details, I can tell you, your efforts were greatly appreciated, and have led to most encouraging developments. This is a situation, frankly, that will bring no joy to us, I fear - but clearly we are in a better position today than we were a week ago. Thank you." Baloo and Kit shared a look of some small pride.
"However, I am here today regarding another matter. You may say that I am here on personal business. In fact, I will deny that I was even here, or that this conversation ever took place. My position would be forfeit should it ever be known that I've told you - what I'm going to tell you."
The leopard rubbed a hand wearily, painfully, across his brow. "As I said, there must, it seems to me, come a time for truth, sooner or later. It may never officially be the time, but I have to live with myself at the end of the day." He looked at Kit squarely. "I had no idea, when this affair started - I didn't see the connection. When I heard your name, Cloudkicker - I recognized it, and then, when I saw you - your eyes, your smile... and the way you carry yourself, it was obvious."
Kit sat stiffly in his chair, unsure where this was leading. Baloo snaked an arm out and protectively placed it over the cub's shoulders.
"I did some checking, of course." Michael continued. "I wanted to be sure, you understand. But there was never any doubt, once I saw you." A tear rolled from the cats's eye and down his cheek, and he reached across and clasped the boy's hand. "Kit - I need to tell you about your mother."
To be continued....