Chapter I: Dreams of Destiny

New York City, Rescue Ranger Headquarters, November, 1989

"Croikey! Oi've nevah seen Fat Cat get so many thugs together. Almost made it a challenge, eh mates?"

Monterey Jack bragged as he swaggered into HQ, the others in tow. Chip and Dale dragged along, bruised and battered from the confrontation. Gadget entered last, and wasn't in much better shape, dragging a broken plunger-harpoon gun behind her. She collapsed into a teacup armchair at the kitchen counter, reaching up to slide her goggles off.

"Golly, I could use something to eat and about a two day nap! We haven't seen that kind of action in a while."

At her mention of needing something, both Chip and Dale sprang into action, the light of a different kind of battle coming into their eyes. The two boys' affection for Gadget was no secret. She endured their advances stoically, trying to maintain the façade of the absent-minded inventor. But underneath it all, she had to admit…Chip was just what she would look for

in a companion, and when he was around, she often had to concentrate extra hard to focus on her work. Not that she ever let on, of course. She was simply too modest and shy.

Chip and Dale began swarming through the kitchen, one raiding the refrigerator, the other heating up the stove.

"I'll whip up the best lunch the Rangers have ever seen!" Chip declared, "I've been practicing for just such an occasion!"
"Zowie, you mean practiced all that much since yesterday, when you said you'd burn a salad?" Dale asked sarcastically.

The expected high-pitched argument ensued, and in the middle, Gadget got up, and made to exit the room. She leaned down close to Monty's ear.

"I think I'll just go to bed," she whispered. "Let me know how it comes out."

"You bet, luv."

Gadget wearily climbed the stairs to her bedroom, the first on the left. Once inside, she washed up from a nutshell pitcher, and changed from her crumpled and dirty coveralls into a simple flannel nightdress, before almost falling into bed. In mere moments, the sound of soft, steady breathing could be heard throughout the room as her sleep deepened, into the realm of dreams.

Images flashed to life, and passed by just as quickly. A pale shadow that was all she could remember of her mother…flying the 'Eagle with her father…the great crash…the months spent trying to piece her life back together…it all rushed past. But suddenly, all the images became still, and seemed to surrender to an impenetrable, cloudy mist. In her mind's eye, Gadget struggled to see through it.

A light burst through the fog, and she mentally gasped as her childhood dream was manifested again. A tall, handsome and ruggedly built mouse stepped from the murky depths, clad in bright armor, and bearing a sword the likes of which she had never seen. He raised it toward her, and for the first time, he spoke.

'Gabriella Hackwrench!'

The sound of her real name startled her.

'The time has come, my beautiful girl.'

"The time for what!" she cried, trying to understand.

The warriormouse placed the point of his sword down, appearing to lean on it as he spoke.

'Great evil comes to the land of your ancestors. Your destiny awaits…to take up my sword and defeat the enemy.'

"Take up your sword?"

'It is the destiny of all of our family, young one. In my time, I was called Martin the Warrior, Champion of Redwall Abbey. Thousands of seasons have passed since I wielded the sword in it's defense, but there has always been one of our family to take it up, when danger was nigh. Now is your time. Search your father's belongings…the journal marked 'M' will tell you all. Sleep now, and then heed my words.'

A while later, she awoke and sat up in bed, drenched in cold sweat. She leaped from under the covers, and went tearing through the Rangers' living room, toward her workshop.

"Gadget luv? Wot's wrong?" Monterey Jack asked, concerned as she ran past him.

"Nothing, Monty, but maybe everything!"

"Croikey, now that tells me a lot."

Sliding into her workshop, Gadget began tearing through boxes which had been long unopened…her father's effects, that she had brought from the 'Eagle. In the next to last one, she found it.

A large, red, leather-bound book, marked only, 'M'.

She walked back into the living room, and sat heavily down on the sofa, the book in her lap. Chip and Dale sat down on either side of her, looking somewhat disturbed at her behavior.

"What's that, Gadget?" Chip asked.

"Yeah, you gonna read us a story?" Dale said.

She chuckled at her red-nosed friend's antics.

"I'll be reading it for the first time, too, Dale. I had a dream a while ago…one of my ancestors told me to look for this book."

Monterey Jack walked over and looked down at the old tome she held. He frowned.

"I know the book, lass. Your dad didn't want you to be burdened with this."

"But Monty…what if I'm supposed to be? I have to know what this is all about."

She opened the brass clips which held the book together, and began to read aloud.

"From the writings of Craklyn Squirrel, Recorder of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower Country."

"That's on the English coast, isn't it?" Chip asked.

"Shhh! Don't interrupt the story!" Dale chided.

Gadget continued.

"On this day, in the Autumn of Silver Leaves, Redwall has named a new Abbey Champion. Gealtach Hackerrange, formerly the Abbey builder and engineer, has been visited by Martin the Warrior, his ancestor, and appointed this task. The famed sword of the Warrior was presented to him by Abbess Tansy, at noontide of this day. He is most suited to the job, in my humble opinion. Even his last name, Hackerrange, is the Mossflowrian word which means 'one who invents'."
"Hackerrange…Hackwrench!" Chip said in surprise.

Gadget proceeded to read the rest of the narrative from that day, which gave a short history on Martin the Warrior, and Redwall itself. She then flipped through the rest of the book, and made a soft sound of grief in her throat when she saw the inscription at the end.

'To my dearest daughter. I have kept your legacy from you, out of fear for your well being. I was wrong to do so. Forgive an old mouse's apprehension, and go when you are needed. And believe me child, you will be needed, I have seen it. Good fortune fly with you, Gadget, love. I'm proud of you. Daddy.'

Teardrops began to fall from her eyes onto the pages. Chip put his arm around her, and Gadget leaned against him as she cried. For once Dale didn't argue. He was just worried for his friend.

After a few minutes, she sat up, and dried her eyes on the handkerchief Chip offered.

"Sorry, guys. Golly, I didn't mean to make a fool of myself that way."

"You didn't, luv. Everybody's got feelin's," Monty said.

She smiled.

"Well, maybe I was just supposed to find the book and be ready."

A knock sounded at the door.

"Who d'you think that is? Kinda late for visitors," Dale said, puzzled.

Chip walked to the door, and opened it.

Outside stood three mice, in monasterial habits. The first was very old, and she held out her hands in greeting.

"My apologies, friend, for intruding at this late hour. Is this the place where I may find the Rescue Rangers?"

"Yes ma'am," Chip replied, opening the door wide. "Come in, can we help you?"

The three came in and sat in the proffered chairs. The elder spoke first.

"My name is Brantalis, Abbess of Redwall."

A tinkle of shattering glass was heard as Gadget dropped the cup that she was holding.

The Abbess looked up, and seemed to notice Gadget for the first time. The old mouse rose and walked to the inventor's chair.

"The blood-kin of Martin," she said breathlessly. "I would know such a one anywhere."

She turned to the rest of the Rangers.

"I had come to ask your help in finding our Abbey Warrior's descendant, but it seems my task has been done for me by coming here!"

Gadget bowed her head respectfully.

"I already knew that someone would be coming, Mother Abbess," she said, with polite propriety. "Martin said the time had come."

Brantalis gasped.

"Then you have spoken with him!"
"Yes, I have. And read of him," she said, gesturing toward the Recorder's journal.

The Abbess picked it up.

"Very old," she said, "and missing from our gatehouse archive for many seasons. Only appropriate that it should be found here, counseling Martin's heir."

Gadget hesitated, and then asked the question that had been burning in her mind.

"Just what is expected of me, Abbess?"

"The Abbey Champion is needed, young lady. To lead and defend Redwall in the coming time. Great evil is at work in our home country, which if unchecked, could infect the entire world. Only the heir of Martin can fight it."

"Fight?" Gadget gulped.

Brantalis sighed.

"I can sense your apprehension," she said. "And I would not ask you to come if there was any other way. But Martin's line has always been there to defend the right."
Gadget's eyes narrowed, and became determined.

"Which is just what the Rescue Rangers are all about," she said. "I'll go."

"Are you sure, Gadget?" Chip asked.

"I'm sure. Darn sure. And I better start packing before I change my mind."

"Come on, pallies, let's start preppin' the Rangerwing and packin' our own bags!"

Both Gadget and the Abbess turned in surprise.

"Your own bags?"
"We're coming with you, Gadget. No questions asked, and no arguments. You may be Martin the Warrior's kin, but you're also a Rescue Ranger. And Rescue Rangers don't desert each other, or their friends."

Grinning, she grabbed Chip and Dale and hugged them both.
"One could not ask for better friends," Brantalis said. "Martin's companions would not desert him, either. You are blessed, Gadget."

Sneaking a glance at Chip, her blue eyes glowing, Gadget smiled.

"I know."