INNOCENTS ABOARD

PART II

Jacob Malek stroked his daughter's hair gently as she lay sleeping, head on his shoulder.  He sat back in his chair, removed his glasses and closed his eyes, trying to will himself not to despair, to be strong for his daughter.  Still, it was getting harder and harder to shield her from the grim reality of the situation around him.  The larder was nearly empty now, and the small shops and markets in the ghetto were nearly all closed, their wares long since gone.

Why?  Why were the Alemanians doing this?  What purpose did it serve?  Were they simply going to be starved to death, slowly?  Or was there some other plan, some purpose that reasonable men such as himself could scarce guess at?  His reverie was broken by a knock on the door.

Jacob tensed immediately, causing Anna to stir and wake.  He gently slid her off of his lap and onto the chair.  "It's allright Darling, just a visitor." he said soothingly, as he warily approached the door.  "Who is it?" he barked.

"Jacob!  It's Vlade!  Open the door." a male voice whispered from the other side of the wooden portal.

Jacob slid the lock back and opened the door, allowing a thin scraggly polar bear in his late 20's to enter the tiny house.  "Hello, Vlade.  What news?" he greeted his friend.

"Hello Jacob.  Hello Anna." he smiled wearily at the little cub.  "Jacob, I need - we need to talk for a moment." he whispered.

Jacob frowned.  "Anna, go into the bedroom for a few moments while Papa and Vlade talk, all right?"

"All right Papa." the little girl answered.  "When are we having dinner, Papa?"

Jacob looked at his feet.  "Soon, Dumpling.  I'll make you something."

"OK." she said, walking towards the small bedroom. 

Jacob gently slid the door closed behind her.  "Now then Vlade - what is happening?  Have you heard anything?"

The scraggly bear shook his head and sat on the small sofa.  "Jacob, you must help me.  We have no food left.  We have no milk for the baby.  You must help us!" he said desperately.

Jacob stared at him for a moment.  "Vlade - I, we - we have virtually no food left ourselves!  Where do you suppose I would be getting supplies?  I have Anna to consider-"

"_Please_ Jacob - I'm desperate!  I have nowhere else to turn, the stores are closed..."

"The roadblocks are still in place, then?" the bespectacled bear asked bitterly.

"Of course." the other man replied.  "There is no change.  No one is getting in or out.  Have - have you heard any news of Mina?"

"No." Jacob whispered, covering his eyes.

"I'm sorry." Vlade said softly.

Jacob sighed and headed into the kitchen.  Either they would all starve or they wouldn't, he supposed.  In the meantime, the children would have to take precedence.  "Very well Vlade - I will spare you whatever I can.  I am strong - I can go without for a few days.  If no help is coming it will all be moot in a few weeks in any case..."  Jacob opened the pantry and looked at the shelves dejectedly.  King Solomon himself couldn't divide these meager rations, he thought bitterly.

Sighing, he grabbed a small jar of dry noodles and a sack of flour.  He walked over the icebox and took inventory.  Three quarts of milk, that was all.  How could he take any of it out of his daughter's mouth?  Yet Vlade had a baby, an infant.  Shaking his head, Jacob took out a quart of the precious liquid and set it on the counter.  He also took out three eggs and placed them in a small sack.

This is what it comes to, he mused.  Deciding who would be the first to die.  The polar bear placed the meager supplies into a sack and returned to the sitting room.  "Here is all I can spare, my friend.  If there is no help it will not matter one way or the other.  But perhaps it can buy your child a few days of life."  He handed the sack to the other bear.

Vlade peeked inside the bag.  A tear formed in his eye.  "Jacob - I cannot tell you - this will-"

"Never mind" Malek smiled grimly, clapping the smaller bear on the shoulder.  "Go quickly, and be careful.  It's past curfew."

Vlade carefully tucked the bag under one arm and shook Jacob's hand.  "I'm grateful.  God willing, Mina will come home soon.  I will talk to you tomorrow, yes?"

"Yes, tomorrow my friend." Jacob smiled.  The smaller bear slipped outside, and Jacob locked and bolted the door behind him.  "Anna, forgive me, my child." he muttered softly, under his breath.  "But we must be protectors of all the children, yes?"  He walked over to the bedroom and opened the door.  "Come, Anna-" he began.

There was a shout, from the street  "Stop!  HALT!"

Jacob dashed to the window and pulled back the curtain slightly.  He cursed softly - Vlade had stopped in the middle of the street, and was standing stock still.  "Papa?" Anna called from the bedroom doorway.

"Shhh!  Anna, go back in the bedroom until Papa tells you.  Now!"

"But Papa-"

"Go NOW!" he hissed, with uncharacteristic sharpness.  Startled, she fled into the other room.

On the street, two brown-uniformed shepherd dogs were approaching the terrified polar bear, who stood in the middle of the street, the bag of Jacob's provisions still under his arm.  "Vat have we here, eh?" one of the dogs snarled.

"Zere is a curfew!" the other shouted.  "Do you scum not understand?  It is not difficult to comprehend, fool!"

"I - I am very sorry Sir, it will not-" the frightened bear stammered.

"Shut up!!" the first dog growled, viciously slapping the white bear across the face.  "Vat have you here, hey?"  He grabbed the bag.  "Indeed!  Milk, eggs...  No doubt stolen from a decent canine merchant, yes?"

"No!  It is milk, for my baby, it is mine-"

The dog clubbed the polar bear on shoulder with his rifle, prompting a scream of pain.  He slammed the bag of provisions to the street, the milk bottle shattering and the white fluid puddling at Vlade's feet.  The bear stared at it, dismayed.  "For your baby!  Nits grow into lice...  Vat shall ve do, Rolf?  It seems these parasites are unable to comprehend that ve are serious about ze curfew, yes?"

The second dog grinned at his friend.  "Indeed!  Perhaps ze residents need a demonstration of our resolve."

"Ya!  I believe zat would be most beneficial, Rolf." he laughed.  "If I may have your attention!" he yelled loudly.  "I believe that all of you vermin in zis festering hole would be well served to observe ze swift and sure nature of Alemanian justice!"

Faces began to appear in windows, as the ghetto residents peered around their curtains and blinds.  Jacob stood, frozen in shock, unable to tear his eyes away.  His hand gripped the windowsill so tightly that his fingers ached.

"Turn around!" the soldier known as Rolf barked at Vlade, who, trembling, complied.  The two dogs spoke quietly for a moment, then laughed.  Rolf walked several yards away, then stopped.  His associate took a few paces, then turned and pointed his rifle at the back of the polar bear's head.  Jacob turned away, just as a shot pierced the dusk.

Jacob stood, trembling, hands still gripping the windowsill tightly.  He knew, now, that there was no hope.  Before, he had just not fully grasped the sheer inhumanity of these invaders, but it was clear now.  All was lost.  On the street, the two dogs laughed loudly, and walked away.  A pool of red fluid began to form, soon blending with the puddle of milk from the broken bottle.

Isaac Walschinsky prided himself on being a realistic optimist - one had to be, he figured, to wake up every day in Thembria and still hold out hope that it might be better than the last one.  It was his firm conviction that as long as the spirit was still hopeful, defeat was impossible.  It had driven him through the loss of his wife, his time in a prison camp and his countless run-ins with the Thembrian government.  And, in fact, he was now a free bear, and reunited with his daughter.  His days had become better than the last had been.

Even in his darkest, most hopeless moments in Thembria, however, he'd never felt so challenged to keep his spirit from crumbling as he did now.  Even the Thembrians seemed humane when compared to the almost inconceivable brutality he had seen from the current government of Alemany.  A terrible reckoning was already occurring in Alemany itself, but even worse, the criminal nation grew stronger daily, threatening to export it's cruel vision to a wide swath of Eporue.  And the governments of the free nations seemed unwilling or unable to act against the criminal abuse of decency that was occurring in Bohemia, first of the Alemanians victims.

He looked around the table at the three other bears seated there - Gregory Spotilivich, one of the wealthiest men in Eporue, whose personal fortune was already bankrolling much of their fledgling resistance movement.  That fortune had bought him a position of leadership in their small group.  Jonah Wallenbearg, young, impetuous and brilliant, a natural, if reckless, leader of men. And finally Pavel Vasclav, who had escaped Bohemia scant days before the Alemanian tanks had rolled in, and was providing them with much of the information they had received from inside the borders of that besieged nation.

"Shall we get started?" Gregory asked, as ever taking it upon himself to dictate the pace of events.  "Why don't you start us off, Pavel?  Is there any change in Brague?"

The thin bear coughed nervously, never comfortable speaking in front of a group.  "Thank you, Mr. Spotilivich.  I am fearing there is no good to report, yes?  The residents of the ghettos are nearing the point of the starvation.  What supplies that exist are nearly gone, and there is still no escaping in or out.  And even more, there is appearing to be an increase in brutality by the troops patrolling the streets."

"What is their purpose?  Do they plan to simply starve these people to death?" Jonah asked bitterly.

"Ahem, I am, as you will say, not knowing." Pavel said quietly.  "There may be other plans at work, we are not sure."

"What is the situation like outside Brague - in the smaller cities and the countryside?" Isaac asked.

"Well - Bohemia is a large country, and there are only so many troops, yes?  There is resistance, and it will take substantially longer for these places to be subdued.  But it will surely happen, eventually."

"Bastards!" Jonah barked, banging a fist on the table.  "Where is the point in all this?  Do they simply intend to starve all of us to death?"

"Jonah-" Gregory started.

"Action, my friends!  Enough talk, we all know the situation is terrible.  What we must decide is what action we will take!  Clearly we have no time to waste in indecision.  Lives are at stake."

Wallenbearg said fiercely.

"I agree." Spotilivich replied calmly.  "The question before us is, what action shall we take?  Isaac?"

Walschinsky looked around the room thoughtfully, gazing at the faces before him.  What could a rag-tag bunch of men such as these do against the Alemanian juggernaut?  "My friends - it is distressingly clear to me that only a massive and concerted effort by the free nations of the world can halt the advance of this evil.  Clearly, we have neither the resources nor the ability to confront it directly.

It is my opinion that we must fight this battle on two fronts.  Our first priority must be to convince the free nations of the world, by whatever means necessary, that the abuses of the Alemanians are real and horrendous.  And we must also convince them that the Alemanian war machine is surely a threat to them, in time - that these people will not stop unless they are defeated.  If we cannot convince the governments themselves, we must convince the people - make a case so strong that they demand action by their leaders."

"Espionage?" Pavel asked.

Isaac smiled darkly.  ""When you do not have a force sufficient to confront the enemy directly, perhaps you are small enough to escape his attention.  We must gather all the proof that we can of what is happening, by whatever means we can.  We are not large in number, but there are many skilled and talented people in our ranks.

The second priority, gentlemen, is the aid of those who are suffering right now.  Once again, it appears that the governments are content to do nothing for now.  Perhaps that will change as we expose the truth.  In the meantime, we must do all that we can to combat the tragedy that is occurring."

"But how?" Jonah queried bitterly.  "What can we-"

"Please." Isaac interrupted his friend.  Jonah was as brave as any man, but given to allowing his emotions to dictate his actions far too often.  "It is terribly painful for me to say, but I see little that we can do directly for those of us within the Alemanian borders.  For these people, we must focus our efforts in fostering opposition to Alemany.  There is little else we can do.

But for those in Brague, perhaps we can help.  The Alemanian presence there is weaker - they surely plan to enact the same strategy elsewhere that they have in Bohemia.  Their troops and weapons are spread thinly.  I believe that we can slip through and provide humanitarian aid to the besieged residents of the Brague ghetto and perhaps allow them to survive long enough to resist.  It is a flawed plan, but I see little else that we can do."

"How, Isaac?" Gregory asked, deferring to the Thembrian's greater tactical and organizational skills.  "How will we do this?"

"It will not be easy.  Perhaps it will be only a tiny gesture in the face of such terrible opposition.  But it must at least be attempted.  And given my personal experience in escaping Thembria, I have certain ideas about what may be effective..."

Marshall Franz Mueller sat behind the large oak desk in his opulent office at the Alemanian central headquarters in Linber.  He loved his office.  He had arranged the furniture so that any visitor would have only a narrow corridor of empty space to walk through, leading directly to the front of the massive desk.  The desk itself, as well as the chair on which the Marshall sat, were on an elevated platform several inches above the floor which Mueller had ordered installed.  The cumulative effect - along with the Marshall's great bulk - was one of intimidation.  Visitors to Marshall Franz Mueller were disabused of any thoughts other than obedience soon after they entered his office.

"Ah, Colonel Strauss, velcome!" Mueller said jovially to the shepherd dog that stood before his desk currently, shifting from foot to foot almost imperceptibly.  "Please, do have a seat."

Strauss complied, and sat looking up at the imposing figure that towered over him.  "Thank you, Marshall."

"Colonel, I am hearing most disturbing reports out of Bohemia.  I am hearing zat zere is still resistance in the countryside, and that the Bohemian army is regrouping in the north.  I am hoping zat you will inform me that zese reports are untrue."

Strauss' eyes nervously darted around the room.  "Ve have ze situation vell under control, Marshall.  Is is only a question of time-"

"Ah, time!" Mueller smiled, clasping his hands together in front of him.  "A question of time.  And how much time, Colonel?  A day?  Two?"

"Vell - M-Marshall..." Strauss stammered nervously.  "Zere is still some resistance in ze countryside, zis is to be expected.  It is a large country, if ve only had some more troops-"

"_More_ troops?" Mueller shouted.  "You already outnumber ze Bohemian army by ten to one!  Zere government has officially surrendered!  If you are unable to succeed under zese conditions perhaps I shall need to consider a field commander who can make better use of his resources!"

"No sir!" Strauss barked.  "I mean - Ve vill succeed, Marshall.  I promise it.  Ve may have to move some resources from Brague and into the countryside.  A simple realignment is all zat is needed.  Ve vill crush zem - ze Bohemian resistance and ze polar bear vermin.  Ve vill starve zem out."

"See zat you do, Strauss." the Marshall said darkly.  "If I see you in zis office again before Ze complete subjugation of Bohemia it vill be to relieve you of command - or to identify ze body.  Do I make myself clear?"

"Very clear, Sir!" Strauss barked sharply, a tremor in his voice.

"Excellent.  Alvays a pleasure, Colonel.  Hail Alemany." Mueller smiled, right paw out in a salute.

"Hail Alemany!" Strauss shouted crisply, responding in kind.  He spun on his heels and left the office, leaving the Marshall chuckling behind his desk.

"Well, Father?" the white cub asked as Isaac Walschinsky walked through the door of their rented flat in Seines.  "How did it go?"

The bear, dressed casually in a tan shirt, embraced his daughter and kissed her on the cheek.  "As well as can be expected, Little One.  Certainly, there is little doubt that we must do something - everyone agrees with that.  The only question is what."

The two polar bears sat on the sofa.  "And what is the answer, Papa?"

Isaac chuckled.  "Always were the impatient one, weren't you Sasha?  Well, I believe I was able to convince them that our first priority should be humanitarian relief.  People are suffering, and even if we do not have the strength to fight the disease, at least we can attempt to relieve the symptom."

"So you will go to Bohemia then?" she said softly.

"At some point, yes.  We will have to go there, to do all that we can.  It is up to greater forces than we to confront the Alemanians head-on.  All we can do is convince them."

"Take me with you." the young bearess whispered, leaning her head on her father's shoulder.

"Little One - you know I cannot.  It is far too dangerous.  The risk is unacceptable."

"Father.." the girl protested, eyes glistening, "after all that has happened, all we have suffered - I would rather die than lose you again!  Please take me!"

Isaac silently cursed.  How cruel, that he should have to face such decisions so soon after his freedom..."I cannot, Little One.  I cannot in good conscience take such a risk.  I will be fine, I swear it.  I will return safely, and we will be together.  I promise."

Sasha sighed.  "Why must people be so evil, Father?  Why can't people just live their lives and let others do the same?"

Walschinsky laughed bitterly.  "If I could answer that, Sasha...  Such a question!  It has been asked for as long as people have walked the earth, I'm certain."

"When will you go?"

"It will take some time, Little One.  There is much work to be done, preparation.  Yet time is of the essence.  However, we have many friends, in many places."  He tenderly grasped his daughter's chin in his paw and smiled.  "Be of good spirit, Sasha.  There is always hope, as long as we believe.  Perhaps you may even see some old friends soon, who knows?  Now come, let us have dinner, and be grateful that we have food in our larder, while so many others do not."  Arm in arm, the two white bears rose from the sofa and walked into the kitchen, as a light rain began to spit against the windows of the flat.

The yellow seaplane was a tiny dot against the brilliant blue sky, soaring a mile above the Pacific towards Cape Suzette.  Kit leaned back in the navigator's chair, eyes closed.  He loved this chair, this plane - he loved sitting here sightless, totally giving himself over to the sound and vibration of the engines, like old friends speaking to him, telling him that all was well.

He hadn't flown in nearly two weeks - despite his vehement protestations that he was fully recovered, Baloo simply wouldn't let him fly, fearing that something might happen, hundreds of miles out over the ocean as they were now.  It had been the longest flightless stretch in Kit's life since he'd come to Higher for Hire, and every time he'd stood inside, listening to the Sea Duck's engines as the plane left without him, he'd been filled with anger and frustration.

But now, at last, Baloo had relented.  Kit had put aside his cane, and more importantly the medication that inevitably fogged his mind.  Tomorrow the stitches would come out, he felt no pain, and he was among the clouds again, Baloo at his side.  No matter that it had simply been a cargo run of the most routine order, boring on the surface.  To Kit, it had been sheer heaven.

"So, L'il Britches, pretty nice to be back in the saddle, huh?" Baloo chuckled, deft as ever at sensing the boy's moods.

"Is it that obvious?" Kit replied.  "Man, I can't believe I haven't flown in thirteen days!  It feels like forever, Papa Bear."

"I know what you mean." Baloo grinned.  "I darn near fergot how tough it is ta fly solo, Pardner.  The ol' Duck just ain't been the same without ya."

"Thanks." Kit smiled.  "Gonna have to take the Blue Eagle out soon too, just to blow out the carbs."

"Don't worry Kid, she'll be fine.  We'll get 'er airborne in the next couple days." Baloo laughed.  "So Kit - ya think ya fergot ever'thin I taught ya about flyin' in all that sacktime?"

"Me?" Kit howled.  "I'm Kit Cloudkicker!  Besides, it's like ridin' a bike, right?  Once you learn ya never forget!"

"Maybe so, L'il Britches.  Maybe so."  The pilot unstrapped from his chair and stood.  "Why don't ya go ahead an' take over, Pardner.  Bring us on in the rest o' the way home."

"Thanks Baloo!" the cub grinned, sliding over to the pilot's seat.  He'd almost begun to feel at home in this chair, but after his layoff he felt some of his old nervousness returning.  He lightly ran his hands over the controls and forced himself to do a status report.  "OK Papa Bear, we're at 5300 feet, airspeed 188 MPH, heading north-northwest one-five-two degrees." he said, a slight quaver in his voice.

"Easy Kid, it'll come back, don't worry." Baloo soothed, squeezing the cub's shoulder gently.  He sat back and watched the boy for a moment, conflicting emotions running through him.  It was a little scary, the way he had felt over the last week of flights - there had been none of the usual joy, the sense of freedom.  He couldn't get his mind away from the crow's nest at Higher for Higher.

Sitting here now, that fear was mixed with pride - he loved seeing Kit at the controls of the Sea Duck, still filled with the same sense of wonder he'd had that first day when Baloo had allowed the frail little cub to take the controls.  This plane and the love of flight was something that bound them together, and that filled Baloo with joy.  Still, it was impossible for him to separate the experience of flying from the boy who sat next to him - all of the passion and exuberance the pilot had always drawn from flight was magnified, as long as Kit was beside him.  But if the boy wasn't there, the experience was hollow.  That was what scared the pilot - it was all the proof he needed that his life was no longer his own.

"You OK, Papa Bear?" Kit asked nervously, sensing the pilot's apprehension.

"Just fine!" Baloo chuckled.  "Yer doin' great, L'il Britches.  Just glad ta have ya back in that chair, that's all.  So - ya think yer up to tryin' to land 'er today?"

"You bet!" Kit grinned, a little surprised that Baloo was willing to trust him so far on his first day back.  "Uh, thanks Baloo, y'know-"

"Don't worry about it Pardner, I know ya kin handle it." Baloo laughed.  "She's all yours, Kid - take us home!"

"Thanks for takin' me to the hospital, Miz Cunningham." Kit said, as he ran his fingers over the spot on his gut where the stitches had been.  "Sorry to be such a pain."

"It's no bother." she smiled as the cab sped through the streets of Cape Suzette.  "There's nothing in the office that couldn't wait for an hour or two.  Does it hurt at all?"

"Not really." the boy replied.  "It kinda itches, but Dr. Gosselin said that was normal."

"I guess you're going to have a little souvenir from the experience, huh?" she laughed.

"Yeah." the cub scowled.  "I'm never goin' to the beach, I'll tell you that!  This scar is really gross..."

"Call it a badge of honor." she giggled, squeezing his paw sympathetically.  "It'll fade in time, I'm sure."  The taxi pulled up outside Higher for Hire.  "What's that?" Rebecca frowned, staring at a weather-beaten brown cargo plane docked a dozen yards or so from the Blue Eagle.

"I dunno." the cub answered, squinting as he looked at it.  "New client, maybe?  Sure is a beat-up plane..."  Kit and Rebecca slipped out of the cab, Rebecca pausing to hand the driver some bills.  "Papa Bear's not back yet - I wonder-"

"Haloo!" a voice called, from the cockpit of the brown plane.  "We were beginning to think there was no one home!"  A white polar bear jumped down from the cockpit, followed by two more, one tall and very thin, the other shorter and decidedly feminine.

"Isaac Walschinsky?" Rebecca said, surprised.

"Sasha!" Kit shouted, spying the shorter figure.  He dashed over to her and impulsively enveloped her in a hug, as the two other white bears shared a grin.  "Oh, Sasha... I don't believe it!" he gasped, catching himself and drawing back with an embarrassed grin.

"Hello Keet!" Sasha smiled, grasping his paw.  "This is a wonderful day - I've missed you so much-"

"Me too!" Kit laughed as Rebecca walked over to join them.  Kit looked around sheepishly, then planted a brief kiss on the bearess' cheek, prompting a giggle from the white cub.  "I can't believe you're really here!"

"Hello Sasha!" Rebecca smiled, giving the girl a hug.  "Hello Mr. Walschinsky, it's good to see you again."

"Miss Cunningham." the bear replied, kissing her on the cheek.  "Hello young man!" he smiled, shaking Kit's hand.  "I trust you are well?"

"Very well, thank you Sir." Kit answered.

"Allow me to introduce my nephew, Joshua." Isaac smiled, arm around the shoulder of the other bear, a young man of perhaps eighteen.  "He's a fine pilot - already!  He flew us here today."

"H'lo." the young bear mumbled quietly, shaking Kit and Rebecca's hand.

"Well, it's good to see all of you!" Rebecca beamed.  "Will you come inside, I'll make some coffee.  Have you had breakfast?"

"That's very kind, Miss Cunningham." Isaac said with a small bow.  "However, I am in Cape Suzette for some rather urgent business - a very important meeting."  Kit noticed Sasha frown slightly.  "Joshua will be joining me.  I thought, under the circumstances, that the young people would enjoy having some time together, so it was my hope that Sasha could stay here today, if it's not too much trouble-"

"Great!" Kit beamed.

"Of course it's no trouble!' Rebecca grinned.  "Our doors are always open for your family, Mr. Walschinsky.  Sasha is welcome to stay here today or any day.  Are you sure you and your nephew don't have time to join us for breakfast?"

"Thank you, no." Isaac replied.  "We should be leaving now, as a matter of fact.  We'll return this evening.  Thank you once again for your kindness, Dear Lady."

"Your welcome." she smiled as the two bears jumped back into the cockpit of the old plane.  "See you tonight then."  With a wave, the two men were off, and the plane headed towards the airfield downtown. 

"Now then - " she addressed the cubs.  "I imagine you kids will have plenty to talk about without me getting in the way, so I'll head inside and get some work done.  Just let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you Miss Cunningham." the white cub said politely.

"Yeah, thanks Becky." Kit smiled.  He reached out and grabbed Sasha's paw, which felt as wonderfully warm and soft as ever in his own.  She wore a light blue skirt and blouse, which to Kit's eyes were the most beautiful he'd ever seen.  "I thought I'd never see you again...  Sasha, you won't believe it - I got my own plane!  Wanna see it?"

"Of course!" the girl grinned.  "You own plane?  How is this possible?"

Kit led the girl over to the Blue Eagle at a jog, and helped her into the cockpit.  "That's a long story - have a seat!" he grinned, gesturing to the pilot's chair.  He planted himself in the navigator's seat. "It belonged to my Mom, but like I say, that's a really long story..."

"I would like to hear it, Keet!" she smiled, looking around the immaculate cockpit of the little plane.

"Boy, Sasha - your English is great!  Not that it was bad before... that is - um..."

"Thank you!" she laughed.  "I have been taking lessons, yes?  I fear I still sound very strange, to you-"

"You sound wonderful!" he grinned stupidly, entranced by her eyes.  They were so-

"Keet, you look thin!" she frowned.  "Are you not well?"

"Oh!" he replied, snapping out of his reverie.  "I'm fine - that is, I had appendicitis.  My appendix burst, and everything - pow!"

"Goodness!" the white cub exclaimed.  "When did this happen?"

"About two weeks ago.  I'm fine, but I lost a lot of weight, in the first few days.  They had to operate, take my appendix out.  Um... wanna see my scar?" he asked sheepishly.

She blushed.  "All right."

Kit lifted his sweater to expose the two inch white gash on his side.  "They just took the stitches out today!  The doctor said it'll fade a little.  They had to shave the fur off, and that'll grow back, so-"

"Hi kids, I thought I'd find you in here!" Rebecca smiled, peeking her head in through the window.  Clearly she was well aware of what she'd interrupted, and her eyes danced with laughter.  "I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you some brownies, leftover from Molly's tea party.  Here's some milk too."

"Thanks Becky." Kit blushed.  With a wave, Rebecca headed back into Higher for Hire, chuckling.

"Very impressive." she said solemnly.  "But - you are all right now?"

"I'm terrific!" he beamed, biting into a brownie.  "I've been eating like a horse for the past week, trying to make up for lost time, I guess!"

"I'll bet the man who is not your father was very worried!"

"Oh, that's right - you don't know!" he chuckled.  "It happened not that long after you left.  He _is_ my father now!  I don't know how he convinced the child welfare people, but they went along - he adopted me!"

"That's wonderful!" she laughed.  "You must be very happy!"

Kit blushed again.  "It was the best day of my life, I think.  I can't even imagine what it would've been like, going through this whole appendicitis thing, without Baloo.  He's been so incredible to me-"

"He loves you." she smiled.  "I could see that before.  But now no one can break you apart.  It is wonderful to be with your family, Keet.  I am most pleased for you."

"Thanks!"

"My goodness, so much has happened!  Thank heavens it seems to be good things...  Is your life always so exciting?"

The boy laughed.  "You don't know the half of it!  Stuff just kinda seems to follow Baloo n' me around, it's weird.  How 'bout you?  What've you been up to?  Is your dad still trying to take on the Thembrians?"

Sasha looked away.  "All is not so very well, I am afraid Keet.  My father has been forced to turn his attention to even more grave matters."

"Eporue?" Kit asked grimly.

The white cub arched an eyebrow in surprise.  "Yes.  How did you know?"

Kit smiled sadly.  "I read a lot, ask a lot of questions...  Even more since we met.  I know things are pretty bad."

"Indeed they are Keet." she sighed.  "My father and I settled in Seines - there is a large diplomatic contingent there.  For a few weeks he lobbied on behalf of the polar bears in Thembria, with little success.  He grew increasingly frustrated.  Meanwhile, reports were coming in, horrible atrocities in Alemany-"

"Yeah, I know!" Kit said angrily.  "We had a little run-in with those bastards!  Another long story.  VERY long..."

Sasha's jaw dropped.  "You continue to surprise me, Keet Cloudkeecker!  In any event, this was becoming more and more the focus of my father's attentions.  He was in close contact with a group who were organizing opposition to the Alemanians.  Unfortunately, the situation became even worse - they invaded Bohemia, and imposed martial law."

"Yeah, I read about that.  It sounds pretty bad."

She closed her eyes.  "It's horrible, Keet.  The polar bears in Brague, the capital - they live in a ghetto, and they are confined there, behind a military blockade.  No supplies are being allowed in-"

"So that's true then?" Kit whispered.

"It is true."

"Well - there's somethin' bein' done about it, right?  I mean, Usland will help them , for sure!  Won't they?"

She shook her head.  "There is little being done, Keet.  The governments of Usland and Eporue are content to appease the Alemanians until they perceive a direct threat to themselves."

"But - but that's ridiculous!" Kit sputtered angrily.  "There's no way they'd just sit around and let those people starve - IS there?"

"I am afraid they are - for now." Sasha sighed.  "And... my father is trying to help, to aid the people, to organize resistance...  But he may have to go to Bohemia himself, with my cousin, and it is very dangerous..." she sobbed, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Her sadness stabbed Kit in the heart.  "It's - it's OK..." he whispered, tentatively placing a paw on her shoulder.  "It'll be all right."

"I am sorry Keet, it's just that I am scared, for Father, for what will happen-"

"It's OK!" the boy said firmly, hugging the white cub.  "We'll help, do what we can.  I know Baloo will want to help out...  I promise I won't let anything happen!"

"Oh Keet, you are very sweet - still!" she chuckled through a tear.  "You are my brave protector, my knight... always!  Thank you..."

"It'll be OK..." Kit whispered, wanting nothing more than to hold the girl in his arms and protect her, and to never see her cry again.

"Snowflake!" Baloo cried, walking through the front door and spying the two cubs sitting at the table.  "What the heck-"

"Hello Mr. Baloo." Sasha grinned, genuinely pleased to see the jovial, overstuffed bear she owed so much to.  "I hope you are well?"

Baloo walked over with a nod at Rebecca and gently hugged the white cub.  "I'm great, Darlin'.   Just confused is all.  What're you doin' here?"

"Her Dad's in town for a conference, Papa Bear." Kit chimed in.  "He'll be back in a little while."

"That's Jim-dandy!" Baloo grinned.  "Kit tell you all about his operation an' all?"

"He certainly did Baloo.  It sounds quite frightening."

"Sure was, Snowflake.  Sure was.  You get the stitches out OK, L'il Britches?  Oops!  Sorry..."

the big grey bear said, joining them at the table.

"That's OK!" Kit chuckled.  "Yep - doc said everything looked perfect."

"So Mr. Baloo - I hear you are Keet's father now.  I think it is wonderful!" Sasha grinned.

"Yeah, I think so too!" the pilot laughed, tousling Kit's hair fondly.  "I dunno what this fat ol' bear did ta deserve it, but he's the best thing that ever happened ta me, Snowflake."

"Baloo!" Kit blushed.

Sasha laughed.  "You embarrass so easily, Keet!  I think you are very funny..."

"So, Snowflake - how's yer Pop?  He still givin' the Thembrians what for?" Baloo asked.

"Perhaps I will let him tell you, Baloo." she sighed.  "It is a very complicated story."

Baloo frowned.  A plane touched down outside.  "Sounds like that's him now." Kit said, jogging over to open the door.  After a moment Isaac and his nephew walked in.

Isaac smiled and patted Kit's head gently as he walked in.  "Greetings to all of you!  Miss Cunningham, always a pleasure - and Baloo!  It does my heart good to see you again."

"Hello Mr. Walschinsky." Rebecca smiled.

"You too Ikey." the pilot grinned, prompting a raised eyebrow from Joshua.  "Who's yer skinny friend here?"

"My nephew, Joshua.  Joshua, this is the legendary Baloo - he and Kit engineered my freedom from Grelspach."

"Mr. Baloo - you have done a great service.  Thank you." the young man said in thickly accented English.

"Don't sweat it Kiddo." Baloo grinned.  "All part o' the package.  So Ikey - what brings yer brood ta Cape Suzette?"

Walschinsky frowned.  "There are grave events taking place in the world right now, Baloo.  There are those of us who are very concerned - even if our voices are still not being heard."

Baloo whistled softly  "That sounds like pretty serious business for empty stomachs, boys.  What say we get you polar bears some burgers an' fries - good Cape Suzette grub!  Never heard o' any serious business that didn't sound better after a good meal.  Becky - you comin'?"

Rebecca stood from her desk.  "No, unfortunately Molly has a school play tonight Baloo, and I have to leave in a few minutes.  Mr. Walschinsky, I hope you have a good stay in town.  Will I see you all tomorrow?"

"Perhaps, Miss Cunningham, perhaps.  Thank you once again for your gracious hospitality."

The five bears walked slowly along the harbor, the moon shining brightly in the sky above the water.  Kit and Sasha were a few paces behind the others, hand in hand, saying little.  Baloo held court between Isaac and his nephew with stories of his daring aeronautic exploits.  He had determinedly steered the conversation away from serious topics all night, despite Kit's gentle efforts over dinner to nudge them onto the subject of Isaac's plans.

Within a few moments they were back at Higher for Hire, and Baloo, it seemed, was ready to get down to business.  "So, Ikey." he sighed wearily, sitting down at the table.  "I guess we can get ta brass tacks.  Just what's yer story?  Why are ya in Cape Suzette?"

Walschinsky joined him at the table.  "There are very grim events taking place, Baloo.  Perhaps - perhaps you would be more comfortable if the children were not present?"

"No dice!" Kit said sharply, staking out a place at the table.  "Anything you have to say to Baloo you can say to me!"

"Such spirit." Isaac smiled sadly.  "After all you have done for me, Kit, I can hardly refuse.  Very well, come Sasha, sit next to your young friend, we shall have no secrets.  Joshua, you do not mind standing?"

"No, is fine Uncle Isaac." the youth said quietly, moving to stand behind Walschinsky.  Baloo looked curiously at the boy - he sure didn't say much.  Had a real fire in his eyes, though.  Seen too much, too young, the pilot thought bitterly.

"Now then Baloo." Isaac began.  "Perhaps you have been following the events of the past weeks in Eporue?"

"Not as closely as my little buddy here." he replied, gesturing at Kit.  "But I may have some notion of what yer talkin' about."

"Bohemia." Kit said quietly.

"Yes, Bohemia." Isaac nodded.  "But also Alemany, and soon Warsalia and perhaps other nations as well.  The Alemanians are expanding their horizons at an alarming rate - every day their armies grow stronger, and they mass more troops along their borders.  The governments of the so-called great powers are paralyzed with fear, but unwilling to provoke a confrontation with Alemany by direct involvement."

Baloo frowned.  "That sounds pretty bad - but what can you guys possibly do about it?"

"Frankly, not a lot." Isaac smiled grimly.  "We are obviously unable to confront the Alemanians head-on.  What we can and will do is work tirelessly to convince the powers of the free world that they have no choice but to draw a line, and force the Alemanians to cease their aggression - and the senseless butchering of innocent civilians."

"B-butchering?" Kit whispered.

Isaac grasped Kit's paw in his own.  "There are things happening in Alemany, My Child - things which are terrible, cruel...  The government of Alemany denies official involvement, of course.  But the reports are numerous and indisputable.  I will not torture you with the details, it is pointless."  Walschinsky closed his eyes, looking deeply pained.  "It is my greatest agony that we are unable to do anything to directly help these people.  The borders of Alemany are an impenetrable fortress.  Only by the downfall of the very regime in Linber will we be able to end the suffering of these innocents."

"My gosh..." Kit gasped.  Sasha squeezed his arm gently.

Walschinsky opened his eyes, and a deep anger burned there.  "All we may do now is to convince the governments of Usland and Eporue that the threat is real, and the atrocities intolerable.  If we must do this by espionage, subterfuge, we will - we will take our case directly to the people, and they will force their leaders to act."

"I'll never understand..." Baloo muttered.  "The world would be a wonderful place if it weren't for certain people!  But why are you _here_, now, Ikey?"

Isaac met the big bear's gaze for a moment.  "Because I have a responsibility, Baloo.  To ease suffering.  You see, there is a great tragedy occurring in Bohemia, as well.  Alemany invaded a few weeks ago, and the government there acquiesced, rolled over.  They had no choice - they were badly outnumbered and no one would provide them with assistance.

Let me explain something to you, my friends.  In Brague, as in many other of the great cities in Eporue, my people live in small, distinct neighborhoods - we call them ghettos.  The first thing that the Alemanian dogs did when they rolled into Brague was to cordon off the ghetto there - to trap my people inside, with no hope of escape.  That is not all - they instituted a curfew, and have not been bashful about using summary executions to keep the residents in line.  Worst of all, they are allowing no supplies inside the barricades - no food, no milk, no medicine.  And winter is coming - in northern Eporue, winter is very bitter and harsh.  The supplies of heating oil will not outlast December as it stands."

"But - why?" Baloo asked, puzzled.  "It don't make any sense-"

"To a reasonable man like you or I, Baloo, no.  But the Alemanians are not reasonable.  They are driven by intense and bizarre hatred.  They wish, perhaps, to starve these people out - whether to kill them outright or simply to weaken them so much they offer no resistance as part of a larger scheme, I do not know."

"That's horrible!" Kit snarled.  "These guys make Don Karnage look like a prince!"

"It is horrible." Isaac nodded.  "However, the Alemanian troops are spread thinly in Brague.  They have met unexpected resistance from the remnants of the Bohemian army, and are having difficulty subduing the towns and villages.  And they seem unwilling to pull back troops from their threatening posture against Warsalia.  There are weaknesses in their defenses, and we believe that we may be able to provide humanitarian assistance."

"How?" Baloo asked intently.

"That is why I am here in Cape Suzette, Baloo.  An airdrop is being organized.  We will provide food, medicine, heating oil - it will be a ragtag air force of mercenaries, merchant planes, free-lance pilots - but the Alemanians will be unable to stop it.  We will get through their defenses and provide some relief to the citizens of the Brague ghetto."

"That sounds like a good plan, Ikey - but what's the point?  If these Alemanians plan to starve those poor folks out, aren't ya - well - just postponing it?" Baloo asked gently.

"Perhaps.  But there are children dying already - they are always the first to suffer.  Our aim is to help these people survive the winter, however we may.  To give them the strength to fight, perhaps - or just to survive until the rest of the world wakes up and engages the Alemanians.  Perhaps then they will have to pull troops out of Bohemia altogether.  It is a long possibility, but it is all we have."

"An' that's why you're here?  You're organizin' this airdrop?"

"Yes." the white bear nodded.  "Myself and others.  Joshua will fly to Bohemia, and I will fly with him."

"Oh Father!" Sasha whispered.  Kit grasped her hand silently.

"He is but a boy, and I will not send him alone." Isaac whispered, not looking at his daughter.  "There will be risks - we will meet opposition, and almost certainly we will lose some planes.  There are too few pilots as it is, and they will be flying solo for the most part, in unarmed craft.  But we will do so knowing that we are just.  And, in the mercenaries case, that they are being well paid."

"Quite a story."  Baloo said softly.

Walschinsky met the pilot's eyes.  "Baloo, Lord knows I owe you my life already.  I could never ask you to do more.  But your skills as a pilot are undeniable.  We can use every able body we can get.  Will you consider joining the airdrop?"

"Of course!" Kit said immediately.

"Hold it, L'il Britches." Baloo said sternly.

"But Baloo-"

"HOLD it!  Let Papa Bear talk fer a second." he admonished the boy.  "Mr. Walschinsky - Ikey - I don't have any doubt what yer sayin' is true, every word.  I feel fer all those people, you kin believe that.  It's terrible, what's goin' on.  Maybe it _is_ different than the last time - it sure sounds like it.  But as far as joinin' yer airdrop, I hafta say no."

"What?" Kit cried in disbelief.  "Baloo-"

"Keet, stop!" Sasha scolded.  "Please!"

"Kit, lemme talk!" Baloo said a little angrily.  "Ikey - I almost lost this boy here, a few days ago.  He was sick - real sick.  An' I ain't had 'im in my life that long as it is.  I've only been his Daddy fer a few weeks, and he only just joined up with me less than two years ago.  I can't see my life without this boy in it - an' I can't see his without me neither.  We both been through too much to get where we are, Mr. Walschinsky - too much alone time.  I lost one family to a war already, and even if I didn't deserve it, somehow, some way, I got a second chance.  I ain't losin' another family Mr. Walschinsky.  I love Kit too much, an' he needs me here, with him.  The answer is no."

"I understand." Isaac smiled.

"Mr. Baloo, I can hardly believe-" Joshua began, speaking for the first time in long moments.

"No!" Isaac interrupted angrily.  "Mr. Baloo is a kind and courageous man, and very wise.  He has done more service to this family than we could repay in a hundred lifetimes.  His actions are driven by love.  I will not have you browbeat him for this.  He has chosen boldly, and I respect his decision."

"Papa Bear, please!  Don't you see-"

"Keet, stop." Sasha interrupted gently.

Isaac smiled fondly at Kit.  "You are wise, Baloo - and your love for your son does you credit.  I have one more small favor to ask you."

"Sure Ike, go ahead." Baloo nodded.

"We leave early, the day after tomorrow.  We will load the plane here and fly directly to Bohemia.  It would put my mind at rest if you would look after Sasha for me, while I am gone.  I would be deeply grateful - more so even than I am already."

"Sure Ikey." Baloo smiled.  "Happy to do it."

"Thank you." Isaac smiled, grasping Baloo's paw.  "Now, I believe it is time for Joshua and myself to depart.  We must find a hotel for the night-"

"No dice!" Baloo interrupted.  "You stay here.  It ain't the Takeover Hostel, but we'll make ya comfortable.  Sasha kin take Kit's bed, an' he'll share with me.  You and the boy kin take the hammock and the easy chair down here."

"Baloo, this isn't right, doing nothing!" Kit said angrily, tugging on Baloo's arm.  "We need to discuss this!"

"Nuthin' to discuss, Kid." Baloo said softly.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Baloo.  You are kind.  It would be most ungracious to refuse-"

"Baloo!  I wanna talk about this!" Kit repeated, refusing to be denied.

Isaac watched them with concern.  "Come, Children.  I believe we should take a walk, enjoy the warm Cape Suzette evening, yes?  Leave Baloo and Kit to a few moments of privacy before we impose on their hospitality.  Come now."

Joshua followed his Uncle to the door silently.  Sasha squeezed Kit's arm and smiled weakly, then followed, leaving Baloo and the cub alone in the house.  The big grey bear trudged over to the easy chair and collapsed into it with a sigh.  "You wanted to talk Kit, so talk."

Kit walked over and leaned on the armrest, staring at Baloo.  "Papa Bear - after all we've been through, all the risks - how can you say no to something like this?  Weren't you listening?"

"Weren't _you_ listenin', L'il Britches?  This mission is dangerous!  Things have... changed.  I ain't takin' no risks as don't need to be took!  That's it, end o' discussion!"

"So _my_ feelings don't matter?" the cub asked indignantly.

"In this case no, Kid, they don't.  I'm yer Daddy and when it comes to decisions fer this family, I'm the one who's gotta stand by 'em.  Yer thirteen years old, L'il Britches - you got no idea what war's really like-"

"I am so sick of hearing that!" Kit snarled, balling his paws into fists angrily.  "I lived on the damn Iron Vulture with pirates and thugs. They beat me, kicked me!  And I saw things... terrible things, Baloo!  They killed people - and I couldn't do anything about it!  That makes _me_ responsible!  You don't know what it's like, to live with that, to carry it around...  .So _don't_ tell me I'm thirteen like it's some kind of grand proclamation of innocence!  I'm _not_ innocent, Baloo!" he yelled, tears rolling down his cheeks.

Baloo stared, mouth agape.  Another brick had fallen, exposing a crack in the wall...  "L'il Britches, I..." he stammered, reaching out a paw to the boy's face.

Kit angrily slapped it away.  "If you do nothing, you're just as guilty as they are, don't you see?  We have a responsibility-"

"Kit, I understand all that." Baloo interrupted.  "I understand and I'm sorry fer what you went through, fer what you had ta see.  But there's no person in the world that's more innocent than you.  You got more good in ya than anybody I ever met, 'ceptin maybe my Mama.  You woulda got along great, L'il Britches - yer peas in a pod!"

"Baloo-"

"Now just listen, Kid.  You talk about responsibility.  Well, I got a responsibility.  I got a responsibility ta make sure yer safe, and healthy, and get an education.  But I also got a responsibility ta make sure ya don't hafta - ta lose yer family, to be alone.  I did, Kiddo.  I lost my family.  I lost my brother to that damn war.  I hadda grow up alone, with a father who hated me cause of it. 

Kit, I hafta be here for you.  I can't let you go through life with nobody there for ya, when yer sick, or hurt, or cryin'.  That's why I hadda go through it, so's I'd know what it was like.  So's I'd know that I could never let that happen to you-"

Kit kept seeing Sasha's face, wet with tears.  "But Baloo - those people need us, don't you see?  We take risks every day - and for what?  Delivering a bunch of cargo - to make money!"

"Kid, there's risks and there's risks, an' you know it-"

Kit could hardly believe that Baloo could desert him on this.  "I can't believe you'd turn your back on those people, let them die-"

"This discussion is _over_!" the big grey bear bellowed angrily.

"Why don't you just admit it?  You won't go because you're afraid!  You're a coward!" Kit screamed, blind with rage.

Baloo recoiled, shock on his face.  He stared at the boy for a long moment.  "If that's what it takes, Kid.  If that's what ya need to think, fine." he said quietly, looking away.

Kit stood, panting from his tirade.  The look on Baloo's face was like a condemnation of his very soul.  How he could he do this - allow himself to hurt Baloo yet again, in anger - after telling himself, _promising_ himself over and over, that he'd never hurt him again?  He knew what he'd said was untrue - he'd said it only to hurt. 

The boy blinked rapidly, tears of anger replaced by tears of shame.  The pilot sat silently in the chair, saying nothing.  Kit slowly walked over to him and stood, mere inches away, tears rolling down his cheeks, but the big bear would not look at him.  Finally, he could control himself no longer.  He climbed onto the chair and threw his arms around Baloo's neck.  "I'm sorry!" he sighed loudly, overcome by shame and guilt.

Baloo said nothing, his own mind a sea of warring emotions.  _Was_ he a coward about this, when all was said and done?  The cub  buried his face in the big grey bear's neck.  "Papa Bear, I'm sorry!  I'm so sorry..."

The pilot closed his eyes and patted the boy softly on the back, trying to understand the anger that burned in Kit.  "S'okay Kid..." he whispered.

Kit sobbed, scarcely believing that he'd given himself over to anger and said what he had.  How could he, after all Baloo had done for him, after the way Baloo had supported him through crisis after crisis.  "Y-you're - the b-bravest man I've ever met." he stammered.  "I'm so sorry!  You're not a coward-"

"It's OK L'il Britches." Baloo said softly, wrapping his arms around the cub.  "I forgive ya.  We all say things we don't mean, sometimes.  I forgive ya, stop cryin'..."

"I'm sorry." Kit sobbed, unable to stop the tears from flowing.  "I'm proud of you. I don't deserve a father like you-"

"Stop!" Baloo chuckled, squeezing the boy tightly.  "I know ya didn't mean it, it's OK.  It's all over.  I'm fine!  Are you OK?"

"OK." Kit sniffed, forcing a smile at the big bear.  "I love you.  You're the bravest man I know."

"You too." Baloo grinned.  "Pardners?"

"Partners." Kit smiled, nuzzling his cheek.  It was so easy to forget the world, snug in Baloo's arms like this.  But deep down, he knew he was right - they belonged in the air, doing everything they could to help those people.  But he also knew that Baloo's refusal was not driven by cowardice.  His shame at deliberately hurting the bear yet again was just something he'd have to live with.  The world was an endlessly complex place, and issues were never as simple as they seemed...

Baloo sighed, holding Kit close.  It was so easy to be idealistic, at Kit's age... but he had responsibilities.  He knew his priorities.  He knew what was important.  If only he could just keep Kit safe in his arms, like he was now, never let anything hurt him... but life wasn't that simple.  All he could do was what he knew was right.

Rebecca Cunningham had sensed from the moment she'd walked through the door at Higher for Higher that something was seriously amiss.  Everything had been far quieter than normal - there was none of the usual playful banter between Baloo and Kit.  At first she'd chalked it up to the somewhat surprising presence of the Walschisnky family - she hadn't expected them to stay the night.  But Isaac and his nephew had left for more meetings soon after she'd arrived, and the mood hadn't changed.

Now, Kit and Sasha sat at the table, absently stirring at bowls of cereal, obviously preoccupied with something, as Baloo prepared for his morning delivery.  Nobody was saying much of anything, and it was starting to get on her nerves. 

Finally, Baloo grabbed his cap and headed for the door.  "So, L'il Britches - yer gonna stay an' keep Snowflake company?" he asked, turning to the cubs.

"Yeah, I guess so Papa Bear." the boy replied glumly.  "I feel bad about leaving you alone-"

"Naw, don't worry Kiddo!" the pilot chuckled.  "Wouldn't be polite ta leave yer guest all day.  Ol' Baloo's gonna be just fine.  Sasha, I asked Wildcat to check out yer Daddy's plane real good, OK?"  With a wave, Baloo started outside.

"Thank you, Baloo." the girl smiled.

"Papa Bear?" Kit called, hesitatingly, an odd quaver in his voice.

"Yeah Kid?" Baloo asked quizzically, pausing in the doorway.  Wordlessly, the cub rose and walked over to Baloo.  He buried his head in the big bear's chest and wrapped his arms around him.

"Have a good flight." Kit smiled up at the pilot.

"Thanks, Kid." Baloo grinned, ruffling the boy's hair through his cap, and turned to leave.  Kit watched him go, then walked back over and sat at the table next to Sasha.  Rebecca watched the odd exchange with concern.  Something had happened, between those two - and they were both pretending it hadn't.

With a sigh she set down her work and walked over to sit next to Kit at the table.  "What happened, Sweetie?  What's the matter?" she asked, grasping his paw.

Kit looked back at her in surprise.  "What do you mean, Miz Cunningham?"

Rebecca shook her head.  So stubborn...  "Kit, I've known both of you too long for this.  What happened last night?  You could cut the tension between you and Baloo with a knife."

Kit looked down at the table, and fidgeted in his chair.  "I dunno...  Isaac and Joshua are goin' to Bohemia, and it's kinda dangerous.  I guess everybody's a little upset over it-"

"Bohemia?" Rebecca was a little taken aback.  "I'm sorry Sasha, you must be worried sick about it."

"Thank you Miss Cunningham." the white cub sighed.  "I am."

"Is that all?" she asked Kit pointedly.

Kit was unwilling to meet her eyes.  "I guess - I guess me an' Papa Bear had a little fight...  It was my fault, Becky!  I yelled at him-"

"A fight?  What about?" she asked gently.

The cub sighed, looking suddenly much older than his thirteen years.  "It's not important.  He forgave me.  He always forgives me - whether I deserve it or not."

Rebecca squeezed the brown bearcub's paw, puzzled and concerned by his obvious pain.  "Tell me.  Tell me about it."

"Naw, that's OK Becky." Kit said, standing.  "I really don't wanna talk about it.  It'll be OK.  C'mon Sasha, let's take a walk, OK?  See you in a while, Miz Cunningham." he said softly, gently pulling his paw from her grip and heading for the door.  Sasha looked almost pleadingly at Rebecca, then followed the cub outside.  Rebecca watched them go, more sure than ever that she'd missed something very important the night before.

The two cubs walked silently along the harbor for a time, neither saying much of anything.  Kit periodically picked up a stone and sent it skipping across the water, an exercise he always found oddly soothing.  After a time, he grabbed her hand and they continued to stroll in silence.

"Look!" he said, pointing, after they'd walked for a few moments.  "There's our tree!"

Sasha giggled.  "So it is!"  The two cubs strolled over and sat, backs against the old oak, staring out at the water, hand-in-hand.

Kit could still remember the powerful emotions he'd felt the first time he'd seen Sasha standing under this very tree, and the crushing anticipation and dread he'd felt each subsequent day, wondering if she'd be there when he came by.  Sitting here, next to her, he was a sea of emotions, powerful feelings that he couldn't understand.  Being this close to Sasha still turned his knees to jelly when he stopped long enough to think about it.  But he had other matters on his mind as well, and those feelings would not be easily subverted.

"I'm sorry." Sasha said quietly, staring out over the water.

"Sorry?" the boy asked, puzzled.  "For what?"

"It seems that our presence here has caused pain between you and your father.  It hurts me deeply to see you so sad, Keet-"

"That's not your fault." Kit laughed bitterly.  "It's kinda an old argument between us, Sasha.  I just - I did something really stupid.  Really mean.  We'll be OK.  We always are.  Baloo's special.  I don't know why he keeps letting me off so easy-"

"Because he loves you." the white cub said firmly.  "That's what you do when you love someone - you forgive them."

"I guess." Kit said softly.

"I know my father would never want his visit to come between you and your Papa Bear, Keet.  He cares very much about both of you - and not just because he is grateful.  He meant what he said about your father's decision, I am sure of it."

Kit squeezed her paw and smiled.  "Your dad's a pretty amazing guy, Sasha.  And he was right about Baloo an' all.  I know Papa Bear said what he said because he's trying to do the right thing... for me.  But he's still wrong."

"It's not so easy, being a father, I'm sure." she sighed.  She stared ahead for a moment, then sobbed softly.  "Keet - I cannot bear the thought of my father going off to Bohemia... and not... not coming-"

"Shhh!" Kit whispered.  "Don't think about that.  I told you, everything's gonna be OK!"  He placed a paw on her shoulder and smiled, prompting a weary chuckle from the girl.  They stared at each other for a moment, then Kit eased towards her and softly placed his lips on hers, eyes closed.  They kissed for a moment, then pulled back, each cub looking out over the water sheepishly.

Kit stared straight ahead, trying to keep from panting due to the palpitations in his chest.  For a brief moment, all thoughts of Baloo, of the coming war, were crowded out of his mind completely.  "Everything's gonna be OK..." he whispered.

Neither cub spoke for a moment, both obviously consumed with thoughts about what had happened.  Sasha broke the silence.  "I should be with him." she said softly.  "If this is something he has to do, then I should be with him."

"But - how?" Kit asked.  "It didn't sound like he'd be very flexible about it-"

"I don't know." she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.  "But we were apart for so long... I cannot bear to lose him again.  We should be together."

"Well, I can't let you go by yourself." Kit said resolutely.  "I guess that means I'm going too."

"What?  Keet, do not be ridiculous-"

"Sasha, I - I can't explain it... but I need to do this.  You heard your dad, there's not enough pilots for the job, everyone flying solo, no weapons.  I'm a good navigator, an' I can fly too, in an emergency.  They need everyone they can.  Your father's not a pilot, he's an engineer.  Your cousin Joshua needs a good navigator with him in that old plane."

"Keet." Sasha sighed, shaking her head.  "Your Papa will never allow this, you heard him-"

"Will your dad let _you_ go?" Kit asked pointedly.

"No." she whispered.  "I am certain he will not."

"Then we both have a problem.  I can work on Baloo tonight, try to convince him to change his mind. You can talk to Isaac.  But I don't think much of our chances."

"So?"

"So - if the adults won't see reason, then we'll have to take matters into our owns hands.  We both know what's right.  You need to be with your dad, and I need to help the airdrop.  Besides-" he whispered, grasping both her paws, "I could never let you face this without me."

"Keet, what are you saying?" she sighed.

"You know what I'm saying." he smiled flintily.  "You did it once already, didn't you?  Once they're over Eporue, past the halfway point, they'll have no choice but to take us with them. We'll stay hidden until then-"

"Kit, my father would be furious!" Sasha gasped.

"He'd have been furious if he'd known what you did last time." Kit said pointedly.  "And if you hadn't done it, he'd still be rotting in a Thembrian prison - and we'd have never met.  Besides, we're teenagers, right?  Just call it teenage rebellion!"

She looked down, clearly wavering.  "Oh Keet, I do not know.  I do want to be with Father, more than anything.  But surely, if you go - if we do this - it will hurt Baloo very badly, will it not?"

Kit winced - she'd said the one thing that he'd been trying to keep out of his mind.  There was no point in denying it, Baloo would be angry, and worse, he'd be hurt, devastated.  But that hurt would heal, once Kit was home safely.  The people in Bohemia still needed help, as much as ever.  Joshua was young, inexperienced - he needed help too, and Isaac wasn't the man to provide it.  Besides, he couldn't let Sasha go alone...  "I know.  It will hurt him.  But - I... I think I need to do it anyway.  I've sat back and done nothing, too many times."

"Perhaps." Sasha sighed.  "But even if we do - if we decide that this is right - how will we do it?  Surely they will-"

"It'll be easy enough." the boy said thoughtfully.  "Your father and Joshua are leaving at three o'clock tomorrow morning, right?  They'll be loading the plane tonight, and flying straight to Bohemia.  We wait till they're asleep, then sneak outside.  We'll empty out a box and hide inside, then wait for a few hours until they've gone too far to turn back.  Then we reveal ourselves, and radio back to let Baloo and Becky know we're OK."

"The same box?" she asked with a frown.

Kit blushed.  "Uh - no, I guess not.  We'll empty out two boxes, one for each of us."

"Take the food out?  Those people need every ounce that we send them, Keet!"

The cub frowned.  "Well - I'm sure that Becky'll have some cargo, going somewhere... we'll empty a couple of those boxes, stash the cargo in one of the outbuildings somewhere so they can deliver it later.  Then we'll squeeze the crates onto your plane and hide inside."

"I suppose it could work..." she said dubiously.  "I hope we're doing the right thing..."

"We are." Kit said resolutely.  "Besides, maybe we can convince our dads to change their minds tonight." he said, not believing it for a moment.  He didn't want to think about Baloo right now.  What he was planning _would_ hurt the big bear very badly, Kit was sure.  But - he had to do what he felt was right... didn't he?

It hadn't been an easy day for Baloo.  Every time he seemed to have things figured out, making sense at last, something would come along and shake up his resolve.  He was a bear who liked to be sure about things - shades of grey were never his strong suit.

He'd been very hurt, at first, by Kit's biting comment of the previous night - so hurt that he shut the boy out, just for an instant.  But as quickly as Kit had wounded him, it had been obvious that the cub was deeply sorry.  He was thirteen, idealistic and impetuous.  What kind of father would he be if he couldn't forgive that?  And if Kit had the unique ability to hurt him, the way no one else could, well - he'd just have to live with that fact.

Still, even if the anger at Kit subsided, the pain of his comment didn't.  Baloo had spent much of his lonely day wondering if the boy hadn't been right.  Maybe that was why it had hurt as badly as it had.  He'd tossed it around, over and over, and still no clear answer presented itself.  All he was left with was to trust his gut.

That had all changed, though, the minute he'd walked through the door and seen Kit's face.  In that instant he'd known he was right, all along - that as powerful as Kit's altruistic arguments were, they were no match for what Baloo knew to be true - his job was to think of Kit first, period.  So, when the boy had halfheartedly tried to convince him once again to change his mind, he'd listened sympathetically but not wavered.  He knew what he had to do.

It was a somber mood at Higher for Hire that night.  Isaac was troubled to be leaving his daughter, and Kit was troubled not to be going with him.  No one said much of anything over the course of the evening.  Rebecca had stayed quite late, and motioned to Baloo just as the small group was about to sit down to dinner.  The big bear approached her desk with a puzzled frown.  "What's up, Beckers?"

"Sit down." she said quietly.  "Baloo, before I go - is everything all right with you and Kit?  I tried to get him to discuss it before, but you know how he is."

Baloo sighed.  "We're fine, Becky.  Kit's just stubborn, that's all.  We had a little disagreement about somethin', but we're OK."

"He wants you both to go to Bohemia with Isaac, doesn't he?" she frowned.

"Right first time, Becky.  How'd ya know?"

"Because I know Kit, I suppose.  I assume that you told him no?"

Baloo braced himself, not wanting another argument.  "I sure did Becky, but-"

"Thank goodness." she whispered.  "I'm glad you had the strength to say no, Baloo.  It must've been hard.  But you did the right thing."

"Thanks Becky." he pilot smiled gratefully.  "I was beginnin' to think I was the only person as felt that way..."

"Baloo, did Kit - did he do something, last night?  He seemed awfully ashamed this morning when I talked to him about it."

Baloo sighed.  "He got a little worked up, is all.  We both did.  Kit just knows how ta push my buttons, Beckers.  It ain't the kid's fault.  He don't know no better.  He didn't mean nuthin' anyways.  We're fine."

"I'm sure he'll understand, someday." she smiled sadly.  "His heart's in the right place.  He's just too young to know that you have to protect what you have, sometimes."

"Yeah, too young..."

She stood and gathered her papers together.  "Well, I just wanted to talk about it for a minute, I suppose.  I was very worried about him - about both of you.  Just try to understand what he's thinking, Baloo.  Don't let this come between you.  I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya tomorrow Becky." Baloo grinned, heading back to the table.  Rebecca watched him for a moment, then turned her attention to her briefcase.  "What I wouldn't give for one uneventful week around here..."

Kit lay awake, patiently waiting for the telltale snore which would tell him Baloo was deep into his night's rest.  Isaac and Joshua, planning for their early start, had already been asleep for more than an hour downstairs.

Baloo seemed unusually fitful in his sleep for some reason.  Unfortunately, his restlessness gave Kit plenty of time for second thoughts and guilt about what he and Sasha were about to do.  Things no longer looked as clear to him as they had in the light of day.  He tried not to imagine Baloo's face when he woke to find them gone, or when they called in to let him know where they were.  Not to mention Becky - she'd been so kind to him, rearranged her life for him, and Baloo, and the business...

No, that was no good - it just wouldn't work.  He thought about Sasha - that was better.  How desperately she wanted to stay with her father. How could even consider turning his back on her now?  Baloo and Becky would suffer for a day, two at the most, until he was home.  Sasha had already suffered enough. 

Finally, the big bear began to snore gently.  Kit glanced at the clock - a little after eleven.  He slowly slid out of bed and looked over at his own bed, where Sasha lay staring at him, eyes open.  He gave a thumbs-up signal, grabbed his green sweater and slipped out of the room.  A moment later Sasha followed.  She'd worn her clothes to bed, wisely.

The two cubs tiptoed down the stairs and paused at the bottom.  Isaac was stretched out in the easy chair, legs over one of the armrests, snoring gently.  Joshua was barely visible in the dim, stretched out in the hammock.  Gesturing to Sasha to follow, Kit slipped the front door open a crack and stepped into the cool night air.

The foghorn sounded gently in the mist, the moon barely visible through the wispy fog.  Sasha shivered, and Kit wrapped an arm around her shoulder.  "This is it, I guess." he whispered.  "We have to be careful not to wake Wildcat up.  C'mon, let's check out Becky's cargo, see what's goin' out tomorrow."

"OK Keet." Sasha sighed.  "I hope what we're doing is right."

"Hey, don't get cold feet now!" he scolded.  "You want to be with your dad, don't you?"

"Of course." she whispered.  "I only wish we didn't have to deceive him - and Baloo."

"I know, me too.  But they gave us no choice." Kit said softly, picking his way among the crates awaiting shipment.  "A-ha!  These are perfect!" he smiled, pointing to two moderately sized wooden boxes.  "Desk chairs!  I'll just stash these behind the tool shed, and tell Becky about it when we radio in.  Then we haul the empty boxes over to your plane, sneak 'em on, and we're all set."

"If you say so." Sasha said softly.  "We're going to be awfully tired tomorrow..."

"Well - we can sleep in the boxes, for a few hours." Kit whispered thoughtfully  "It's not like we'll have anything else to do.  And then I'll keep an eye on my watch - bring a flashlight with me.  I've already got the course plotted out - I'll know exactly when we can show ourselves, and they'll have to keep going.  I don't think we'll be too comfortable in there."

"You certainly are resourceful!" she grinned wearily.  "I'd almost think you'd done this sort of thing before."

"Hey, _I'm_ not the one who sabotaged an engine just to get to Louie's, so don't talk!" he giggled, tweaking her nose.  He reached out and embraced the white cub.  "Everything's gonna be OK, I promise." he whispered.  "We can handle anything."

"My Knight." she whispered softly.

Reluctantly, Kit released the girl from his hug and stepped back.  "It's gettin' late - we better get this show on the road..."

"Ready?" Isaac whispered to Joshua, the main room at Higher for Higher dimly illuminated by a small lamp.

The thin young bear picked up his duffel bag.  "I am ready, Uncle Isaac."

Isaac looked upstairs plaintively.  "I really should go up and say goodbye to Sasha..."

"Uncle-" the boy said softly.  "You said your goodbye last night, yes?  If you go there now, she will only worry more, I am thinking.  Let her sleep.  You will see her in few days."

"Yes, I suppose your are right Joshua." the bear sighed.  "I hope I am doing the right thing - she went through so much to bring us together."

"We do what we must - is that not as you taught me, Uncle Isaac?"

"Yes, my boy.  We do what we must." the older man whispered wearily.  Wars didn't care about families.  Nations didn't care about families.  It was all about sacrifice - but why did it seem like the same people had to keep making sacrifices, over and over?  Slinging his duffel bag over his shoulder, he headed outside, his nephew behind him.

Kit stirred and winced, cramping from the uncomfortable position he'd been fitfully sleeping in.  A box - why not, he'd slept everywhere else!  What had woken him?  There it was - the metal fuselage vibrating slightly, as the cockpit doors were opened and shut.  He pulled out his flashlight and checked his watch - three A. M. on the dot.  This was the moment of truth.

The cub switched off the flashlight and forced himself to sit still, resisting his nervous impulse to fidget, and wishing he were still the same three-foot nine waif he'd been when he first came to Higher for Higher.  The extra height was doing him no favors, crammed uncomfortably into the crate.

He found that he could hear very little through the wooden container, but he could feel - feel the vibrations course through the metal floor of the plane whenever a door opened, or someone moved.  He felt rather than heard the footsteps as someone walked towards him through the cargo hold.  Checking the cargo, he thought.  Let's hope he doesn't check it too close...  His mind drifted back to the dozens of other times he's stowed away, in his previous life - that life that seemed like a dream now, before he woke up next to Baloo.

The footsteps receded, and there was no movement for a few moments.  Then Kit felt the hum of the engines course through the fuselage, and the crate shifted slightly as the plane moved forward.  There was a lurch, and they were airborne, leaving Cape Suzette behind.  That was it - they'd made it.  There was no going back now.  Fighting down the uneasiness that welled in his stomach, Kit tried to curl himself into a slightly more comfortable position, hoping to snatch a few more moments of precious sleep.  It was going to be a hard day - he'd need all the rest he could get.

Baloo stirred, yawned and started to roll over onto his back.  He stopped himself, remembering that Kit was sleeping in his bed, didn't want to crush the boy...  He looked over his shoulder, but the cub wasn't there.  He glanced over at Kit's bed, and Sasha wasn't there either.  He looked over at the bathroom, but the door was open and no one was inside.  Odd.

The big grey bear sat up and stretched.  The clock said seven A. M. - maybe the kids were downstairs, having an early breakfast?  He walked halfway down the stairs, and peered into the kitchen.  "L'il Britches?  Sasha?"

Weird - not down there either.  "Oh well, mebbe their out walkin' or somethin'." he muttered, then frowned.  "Mebbe I shoulda finished that talk with the Kid... Naw!"  With a chuckle, he headed for the bathroom and a hot shower.  Wait'll the cubs found out he was taking them to Harborview amusement park - Kit loved the place, and Baloo was pretty sure Sasha'd never seen a place like that in Thembria!  He thought of Col. Spigot and Dunder riding a roller-coaster and laughed.  What a picture!  Yessir, it was gonna be a fun day, just what those moony kids needed to take their minds off... other stuff...

Kit opened his eyes, only to find he was in darkness.  He realized where he was and fought down an instant of panic.  How long had he been asleep?  He found the flashlight and switched it on - 7:40.  They were past the turnback point.  While he didn't relish facing Walschinsky after he showed himself, at least he'd be out of this infernal crate.  He gently shoved on the lid, and eased it off the crate and onto the floor.

He tried to stand and almost cried out from the pain.  His muscles ached from their confinement, but he forced himself to crawl out of the box and over to the crate where Sasha waited.  He softly tapped on the lid and lifted it off.  Sasha smiled painfully up at him, and Kit realized that the experience must have been even worse for her - she was at least three inches taller than he was!  He grabbed her paws and gently helped her out of the crate.

The two cubs stood crouched in the dimly illuminated hold, staring up at he cockpit two dozen yards away.  Kit hadn't actually thought about just how he'd actually announce their presence to the two polar bears - he certainly didn't want to cause a heart attack!  A tap on the shoulder probably wasn't the way to go...  Gently squeezing Sasha's paw reassuringly, he started slowly towards the cockpit.  When he was perhaps ten yards away, he stopped.

The two bears were arguing quietly.  'This is not possible, Uncle." Joshua said.  "This will take us over a hundred miles of Alemanian airspace."

"Damn!" Isaac replied.  I warned you that I cannot read these accursed maps, Joshua!"

"Give them to me." Joshua hissed.   "Perhaps I can-"

Kit winked at Sasha.  "Ahoy!" he called, in a loud, clear voice."

"What the-!" Isaac gasped, turning.  Joshua released the stick and started to stand, but his uncle pushed him back down.  He unbuckled and stood.  "My God!  Kit?  Sasha!  What in the world?"

"Hello Mr. Walschinsky." the boy said sheepishly.  "Need some help plotting your course?"

The white bear buried his face in his hands.  "This is too much!  Why, Children?  How?"

Sasha walked over and hugged her father, who almost involuntarily returned her embrace.  "I could not bear to be apart, Papa!  I could not lose you again!  Do not blame Keet, it is my fault-"

"That's not true, Sir." Kit interrupted hastily.  "I wanted to come along as badly as Sasha did - I want to help, in any way I can.  We stowed away in some empty boxes."

"Children..." the white bear muttered, shaking his head.  "You have done a terrible thing - I cannot take you to Bohemia, we must return you to safety..."

"No!" Kit shouted.

"Uncle, we cannot!" Joshua spoke at last.  "We must proceed to Bohemia as quickly as we can.  If we stop even to drop the children, we will arrive too late - their air defenses will have been alerted.  We have no weapons to fight them - we must depart before they can mobilize!"

Isaac closed his eyes and pounded the bulkhead in a rare display of anger.  "Another terrible decision you have forced on me, Daughter!  Why must you never obey me?  I am so terrible a father?"

"If I'd obeyed you before, father, you'd still be in Thembria." the girl whispered through a tear.

Isaac sighed.  "You are right, Nephew.  Too many are depending on us... I must take these innocents into the jaws of the lion.  May I be forgiven for such callousness."

"Sir, I admire you so much..." Kit said, struggling for words.  "I - I _have_ to help, don't you see?  It's just - right!"

"You are brave, Little One." Joshua said, respect in his eyes.

"And you are too young to understand - there are consequences to all we do." Isaac told his nephew bitterly.  "Very well then - let us go to Bohemia, with a cargo more precious even than I had dreamed."

"It sounds like you need some help with your navigation.  You need to find a quick path over neutral airspace, right?" the cub grinned, heading into the cockpit.

"You are knowing the maps?" Joshua said, surprised.

"I've done a little navigating." Kit said modestly.  "I'm sure we can figure something out...  Um, but I need to use the radio first, if that's OK."

"Slow down Baloo!" Rebecca said soothingly.  "I'm sure there's a simple explanation.-"

"But where _are_ they Beckers?" the pilot snarled, collapsing into his easy chair.  "I been up an hour, and they ain't been here!  If Kit was gonna go somewhere he'd leave me a note..."

"Well..." she said thoughtfully.  "Maybe they're just out walking around, or something.  Or maybe he took her to the diner, for breakfast."

"That don't sound like Kit, doin' that without even tellin' me, or leavin' me a note." the pilot grumbled.  "I guess it's possible - I can run over there and check-"

The radio crackled, off in the corner behind the desk.  "...in Higher for Hire, repeat, Higher for Hire.  This is....insky, repeating-"

"Yeah, this is Higher for Hire." Baloo shouted, racing over and grabbing the microphone.  "Who is this?"

There was a pause on the other end for a long moment.  Then a voice, unmistakably Kit's sheepish squeak, was audible.  "Hi, Papa Bear."

"Kit?!" Baloo bellowed.  "Where in blue blazes are ya?"

"Um... we're on Isaac's plane, Baloo.  Sasha and I kinda - well, stowed away.  In the desk chair crates."

"What?!"

"Oh, my!" Rebecca gasped, sitting on the desk.  "Oh my..."

"What the devil were you fool kids thinkin'?" Baloo snarled.  "Where are ya?"

"We're about an hour from Bohemian airspace, Baloo, maybe a little more.  I wanted to call in, so you wouldn't worry-" Kit said quietly.

"Worry!  Kid, you got some nerve!  I can't believe this!  You-you-" the big bear sputtered.

"Baloo, this is Isaac Walschinsky." the polar bear's voice cut in.  "I am deeply sorry, Baloo - we only just found out that the children were on board a short time ago."

"Ikey, what - where-"

"Baloo, we cannot turn back." Isaac said somberly.  "We must proceed to Bohemia now or not at all.  We will execute the airdrop and return to Alsatia, where we can refuel. Then I will deliver your son back to you."

Baloo held his hand over his face for a long moment.  "You do that, Ike.  You bring my boy home, you hear me?" he mumbled.  "So's I can strangle 'im..."

"Baloo, I'm sorry..." Kit's voice cut in.

"Sorry?" Baloo shouted.  "Kit, you won't know sorry till you get back here, you hear me?  Of all the bonehead stunts you ever pulled-"

"Baloo, we must go." Isaac said.  "We are getting too close to Alemanian territory for radio contact, and we must plot out course.  I am sorry for all this, Baloo.  I'll contact you as soon as I can.  Walschinsky out."  There was a crackle of static, then silence.  Baloo dropped the mike to the floor.

"Baloo, I'm sure he'll be all right..." Rebecca said helplessly, a hand on the big grey bear's back.

"When I get my hands on that kid..." Baloo whispered.  "When I get my hands on him, I'll-I'll-"

"Baloo-"

The pilot snarled angrily and slammed his fist down on the telephone with a deafening crash.  Bits of casing and innards flew across the desk and onto the floor.  Without another word the pilot stormed out of the office.

Rebecca watched him go, mouth agape.  "He's afraid, that's all." she told herself.  "He'll be fine, just as soon as Kit gets back.  Back from Bohemia..."  She closed her eyes, blocking out that thought.  With a sigh, she looked at the mess on her desk.  "Wildcat!" she called wearily, "I think there's something wrong with the phone..."

Kit stood in the cockpit, staring at the silent radio for a long moment.  Sasha squeezed his shoulder gently.  "He will be fine." she whispered soothingly.

"We must plot our course, Uncle." Joshua said quietly.  "It is time."

"I just need a sec', OK?" Kit whispered, and walked quickly back into the hold.

"Baloo?" Rebecca said gently, as the pilot sat on the dock, staring out at the harbor.  "Baloo, they'll be fine, nothing will happen-"

"Just shut up Rebecca." Baloo said bitterly.  "I don't wanna hear any excuses fer that fool kid."

"Don't tell _me_ to shut up!" the bearess said indignantly.  "I'm just trying to help _you_ feel better!"

Baloo spun on her.  "You remember I asked ya before, in the hospital, if it was worth it?  Well, I - I got my answer!" he snarled, storming off.

"Baloo, wait!  Baloo, you don't mean that!  Baloo?" she called helplessly.  This was bad, very bad...  She hadn't seen this Baloo since they returned from that horrible stay on pirate island - one cub short of when they'd left...