Downtime Mystery

…Off Again.


"Marcus?" said Jack at a knock on the door.

"Yeah, it's only me." He said entering, looking dishevelled and tired, basically hung over.

"What did the captain say?" enquired Jack as the man before him closed the door.

Marcus looked round the group his eyes almost dull and lifeless, taking a deep breath before he began.

"They paid, and handsomely to get on this morning. Said that they are after two escaped criminals that some how made their way over here from the US. Also that a transport team would be awaiting them at the next stop."

"So defin'atly no' walkin' af then?" asked Ren.

"Definitely." Replied Jack. "We need a plan."

At this Marcus, Ren and Sam looked at him expectantly.

"Any ideas?" he said grinning, the scowls he received causing him to burst into laughter.


Everything was ready.

They packed what they needed in two small rucksacks, while the rest was entrusted to their friend the captain, who would turn it in to the Campbell's once back in Cairo.

Once the town was in sight, the group descended into the belly of the ship. A dark, hot and noisy atmosphere surrounded them as they drew closer to their goal, walking briskly past pistons and into a small cargo bay.

Inside is was just as dark and noisy as the engine room, a dim strip light sat on the ceiling illuminating the room in an eerie glow. The room was half filled with crates of varying sizes, 40 of them, around the room could also be seen three horses and two motorbikes. Upon each crate was a large stamp in Arabic depicting the address that each where to go to along with a number. After a quick scan Jack soon found a group of crates that were to make their way off at the next stop.

"Right these four look big enough." He shouted moving to the first that was a 4 ft cube. "Let's check what's in side."

Prising open the lid of the first crate they peered in to see that it was filled with straw amongst which was bedded a small television, no bigger than 14" in huge crate by comparison.

"Ok, who want's the TV?"

"I do!" shouted Ren, just as the engines cut out, causing his voice to reverberate through the hull. Beyond which could be heard the buzz of the docks, the harsh shouts of men and trundling of motor rolling by.

"Right, hurry up Ren."

Obliging the older man he clambered into the crate squashing the straw and setting the TV to one side.

"Comfy?"

"Yea'."

The hinges groaned slightly as the lid was flipped back into place.

Opening the next crate with little resistance revealed a stereo in a similar state to the television; glancing at Marcus he indicated that this should be his crate. Stepping forward he did as Ren had done before him, nestling in a corner with the electrical equipment across from him.

Sam closed the lid carefully well aware of the throng of people beyond the hatch to the cargo bay.

"Sam,' whispered Jack, "This one's yours."

She climbed in dutifully as the others had done and closed the lid, making herself comfy next to a huge computer.

Jack looked round at the three silent crates and with a wry smile turned to his own.

This one was slightly different from the rest, wider and with an extra stamp that said "Fragile – keep this way up". Teasing open the lid he glanced inside to see yet another large pile of straw that no doubt harboured some hidden gismo.

At that point a small motor began working on the hatch lowering it. With each movement of the hatch the dark room began to fill with the midday sun.

Expertly Jack slid into a corner of his box, closing the lid with a soft thud above his head as he knelt down. Gingerly he pushed at the straw around him to aid his breathing, but instantly regretted it as a foul smell filled his nostrils. Trying to forget about it he concentrated on the voices that echoed in the room outside.

"Yeah, all electrical stuff to warehouse 6." Spoke one.

"Where does this go?" said another tapping on Jack's box. "Number 23."

It sounded as though the first man was searching though paper to find the elusive '23'

With a chuckle he spoke once again, "I'd keep away from that one if I were you!"

Footsteps.

"Why?"

"That's the reserves new bear."

Bear? thought Jack.

"Grr!"

BEAR!

"Ahhh." He said leaping up, banging his head off the lid which sent is cascading to the floor, the sound of which was drowned by a mighty roar, that shook the hull.

Jack leapt form the box.

The dock men looked dumbfounded. Seeing them, Jack lent casually against the open box.

"Lost his teddy bear." He said with a smile.

The crate shook violently, Jack's smile dwindled and the men ran from the boat, in the distance a convoy of suits could be seen turning their head simultaneously ( think Matrix Reloaded) in the direction of the shouts and roars.

"Aw Crap. Right guys, Plan B." shouted Jack, just as a paw broke through the side of the crate missing him by inches.

Three heads popped out of boxes to this sight, their faces a picture of horror and confusion.

"Plan B?" asked Ren eyeing the crate that appeared alive with a huge furry deadly paw sticking out from it.

"Bikes."

If it were possible Ren looked even more frightened.

Sam and Marcus climbed from their boxes and moved to the bikes at the side of the room each starting them up.

"Jack what do you want us to do?" asked Marcus.

"I want you and Ren to draw those guys away form here while me and Sam get out, we'll meet you about a mile south of here."

"Right, Ren?" said Marcus revving the bike.

Tentatively the boy moved forward and slid on to the back of the bike gripping Marcus' shoulders for dear life.

The motor roaring, they sped out onto the dock causing shouts and chaos from the suits, all of them jumping into cars and blazing after the bike.

Unfortunately this noise did little to calm the bear.

Quite the opposite in fact.

With an angered growl it burst from the crate, rearing on its hind legs to stand 6ft tall in front of Jack.

In the wave of straw that followed the bear was a small black mass. Jack reached for his head. Empty.

It was Jack's hat, and all that stood between them was a 6ft bear.

"Jack!" Sam shouted.

"Just a minute."

Spreading his arms wide in an attempt to look formidable Jack held his ground before the bear. Suddenly he shrunk and dove into the heap of straw sending it cascading everywhere. Sam watched in horror as the bear dove in straight after him.

Moments later Jack emerged from the straw cloud and clambered onto the bike.

"Go!"

The engine roared as the bolted from the darkness of the hull, with the growls of a confused and angry bear behind them. Upon exiting the dock Jack stole a glance behind him to see that it was in chaos, as the bear emerged from its cave and began charging at the forklift trucks.

Turning his head round to face the open road he smiled, and clasped his arms round Sam's waist.

"So this is fishing?"