Chapter II: Homeplace of Ancestors

The next morning dawned dark and stormy, and held a sense of foreboding. Chip and Dale were packing whatever equipment the Rangers might need, Monterey was putting together provisions for the trip across the Pond, and Gadget was on the tree's landing pad with a clipboard, going over the Rangerwing with a fine-tooth comb. Brilliant she might be, but even she knew that sometimes, her inventions threw a few springs loose. A mole, which had traveled from Redwall with Abbess Brantalis, stood alongside her, admiring the plane.

"Burr, 'tis a gurt 'uge burdbeast, marm. We'm molers loikes to stay on ee ground, wennever it be possible tho, hoo arr!"

Much to the surprise of all, Gadget had picked up the rustic mole dialect rather quickly, and had little trouble understanding the humble creature. She had even begun to be able to speak it a bit, and addressed the good animal, whose name was given as Foremole, in it.

"Aye, 'tis indeed a gurt 'un, Foremoler! Et tooken us'ns a month to build, cause parts bain't as plenteeful as they'm use ter be naow, burr aye!"

Foremole bowed his velvety head in respect.

"You'm speaks loik a gennelbeast, that be fer sure, marm!"

Chip stepped outside, the collar of his bomber jacket pulled up around his neck to ward off the chill. He heard the last of the conversation, and had to smile. A fast learner, his girl was.

His girl?

'Since when did I start thinking like that all the time?' he asked himself.

Sure, he'd fought Dale for Gadget's affections ever since the Rangers organized, but this was the first time he'd ever mentally laid claim.

Gadget realized he was standing nearby after a moment, and met his gaze. Blushing, she cast her eyes downward, continuing her conversation with Foremole. And for the first time, Chip actually had to wonder.

'Does she feel the same way I do, but she's just too shy to admit it?'

Foremole looked over at the chipmunk, and turned back to Gadget, a sly look on his face.

"Ho urr, you'm gotten ee gurt h'admirer, mizzy. Oi think oi'll step back inside, an' give ee young 'uns a bit 'o proivacy naow, sez oi."

"But Foremole, wait, you don't have to…"

It was too late however, as the good mole was already ambling back toward the door. He passed Chip, and gave him a conspiratorial wink.
"Get ee t' work naow, youngun."

"Yes sir," he whispered back, nervously.

Gadget buried herself to the waist in the plane's workings, trying to appear nonchalant. Chip walked over, and leaned against the fuselage.

"Everything shipshape, Captain?" he asked with a grin.

She pulled herself out of the engine compartment to respond. Gadget had managed to get covered liberally in engine grease, and stray strands of hair fell across her face…but Chip was dazzled as always.

"Everything looks good. It should work with no problems!"

In spite of being lovestruck, Chip winced at the familiar, havoc-producing phrase. She noticed, and looked down at her feet.

"Sorry, I'm trying to work on not saying that."
"Thanks."

She scuffed the dirt on the landing pad with her foot, absently.

"So…was there something you wanted to talk about?"

Chip opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Finally, he looked up.

"Gadget, I…"
"Yes, Chip?"

He took off his hat and leaned back against the plane.
"Geez, this is harder than I thought…"

Instinctively, she knew what was troubling him. He was lovesick, and it was written all over his face.

She managed to smile.

"I've known all along, you know."

He looked back around at her with wide eyes.

"You've known that I…you know."

"Golly, Chip, it wasn't hard to figure out. I guess I just sort of played the eccentric inventor, 'cause that was the easiest way to…to…"

"Stay safe?" he asked, softly.

She nodded.

"After Dad died, it was so hard to get over it, so hard to go on, that I didn't want to take the chance of…loving anyone again."

Chip put his paw on hers.

"Do you think you might be able to try now…for me?"

Gadget blushed all the way to the tips of her ears. But then she smiled. She wrapped her tail around Chip, and drew herself up a little closer.

"I think I'd like to try."

She wasn't exactly sure when the kiss happened, but when she pulled back from it, Chip's eyes looked like a cannon shell had exploded next to his ear.

"You don't know how long I've dreamed about that happening."

She grinned.

"Oh, I think I can take a pretty close guess."

Dale stuck his head out the door.
"Hey guys, are you all packed? I…"

He looked suspiciously at Gadget, who was still leaning into Chip's arms, and then at his friend.

"Umm…did I miss somethin'?"

Chip grinned, and winked at Gadget.

"Not a thing, pal. Not a thing!"

Inside, watching from a window, Foremole and Monterey Jack shook paws.

"Hurr hurr, you'm a wise guddbeast, Monneray. They'm 'll be all starry-eyed fer naow on. Till they'm ties ther knot, that h'is, hurr hurr."

"Roight, mate, we've done our bit 'o match makin', now let's us get down to the main issue at hand."
"Wot be that, zurr?"

"Lunch!"

Lunch was served on a platform room that had built in the highest boughs of the tree, a place where the Rangers usually went for privacy, or to act as lookouts. Today though, the mood was jolly, the Redwallers (as they called themselves) conversing with the Rangers in a spirit of good fellowship. Foremole stood to his full, though small stature.

"Hurr, oi perposes ee toast, to ee new Abbey Champion. May she 'ave gudd 'ealth, ho urr!"

Gadget turned red at the applause from the Abbey dwellers.

"Please…please," she begged modestly, "Golly, I'm not even there yet! And I'm still wondering about this whole Champion business, what I'm supposed to do and all."

Abbess Brantalis made a calming gesture.

"I will explain the situation that has brought us to your door, warriormaid," she said, unaware of Gadget's cringe at the term.

"For many seasons now, we at Redwall have been aware of a silent but deadly menace that has been moving upon the shores of Mossflower. Corsair rats, our old enemies, have been massing in camps and ships near the coast.

Several attempts have been made by Lord Strongblade to locate and eradicate them, but…"
"Lord Strongblade?" Chip asked, politely interrupting.

"Yes," Brantalis continued, "Strongblade, Badger Lord of the mountain fortress Salamandastron. He commands the army known as the Long Patrol, a force of fighting hares twenty regiments strong. Strongblade has been taken ill of late, and the corsairs have taken advantage of his plight. Without a badger to lead the Patrol, they are forced to remain at Salamandastron. The rats do not fear Redwall, as they know that no Abbey Warrior has been named in nearly six centuries. Their forces are massing to attack, perhaps a week's travel north of Redwall. Perhaps less, if they have troop transportation. This brings us to you, Gadget Hackwrench. We have searched these many seasons, and finally have discovered you, the only living descendant of Martin the Warrior."
"I have a twin sister who lives in Hawaii," Gadget said, tentatively.

Brantalis made a disgusted sound.

"She was found, and deemed…unworthy. As the Warrior's descendant, it falls to you to uphold his legacy. To do so, you must return to Redwall, the birthplace of your family, and take up the Sword of Martin against the invading force. With an Abbey Warrior ensconced within our walls, the vermin will not be nearly as strong, nor organized."

Gadget looked torn.

"We have a major problem."

"Yes?"
"It's a personal code, and a Ranger ethic. We don't kill."

Brantalis sat back, and considered her. She recalled Martin's words from so long ago.

'A warrior in her own way.'

"This is good. Purity of heart is the core of the Warrior of Redwall. Martin seldom slew a foe in battle. Basically, in this day and time, the Abbey Warrior would be a tactician, a leader. The sword is the symbol of the Champion's authority, and it frightens vermin something fierce! Martin himself used it only as a last resort, in defense of himself and his friends."

The other Rangers looked relieved. But Gadget still had doubts.

"How can I lead? I've never even held a weapon before, except the ones I've built!"

The Abbess smiled.

"Martin will point the way. If the sword seems to act of it's own volition, then allow it! But above all, believe in yourself, and your ability to accomplish the task."

Still nervous, and still terrified, Gadget conceded.

"We'll leave at first light tomorrow," she said. "I need a good day in the workshop to take my mind off all this."

The impromptu meeting broke up around an hour later, all the creatures going about their various task. Later on, Chip roamed Ranger Headquarters, looking for Gadget.

Sounds of hammering came from her workshop. Chip stepped inside, and leaned against the doorjamb, watching as she took out her frustrations on a defective invention. Aiming for a loose bolt, her hammer missed, and landed on her thumb. Chip could have sworn that the air in the workshop turned blue.

"We'll you've broken the warrior's language barrier, at least," he said, trying not to laugh.

Spinning around, and nearly dropping the hammer on her foot in the process, Gadget saw Chip, and turned nine shades of crimson.

"Uhhh, golly, sorry Chip. Guess it's Dad coming out in me."

He chuckled, and walked into the room. Helping Gadget pick up stray tools and equipment, he stared at her for a moment. She noticed.

"What is it?"
"You're beautiful, you know that?"

"Chip, if I blush any more today, my face is going to stay red!" she said, but she glowed from the compliment. She sat down on the floor, and leaned back against the workbench. Chip sat down beside her, and slowly put his arm around her. He was pleasantly surprised when she leaned over, her head resting on his shoulder.

"You ever think about having a family, Chip?"

He thought.

"A lot of times. Most of the time, I was thinking about building one with you," he said honestly.

She smiled.

"You wanna know a little secret? I was thinking the same things about you."

Chip Maplewood was nearly at a loss for words.

"All this time, and we were both just too embarrassed to get it out in the open," he said with a grin.

She nodded.

"So when does the whirlwind courtship start? At least that's the way you and Dale have always gone about it," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

"I figure it's already started," Chip replied. He leaned down, and kissed her. A few minutes later, a cough at the door ended the embrace.

"Well, pallies, looks like I lost me bet with Foremole. He said you two'd be all starry-eyed over one another before this whole business was over."

"Um, Monty, hi! We were just.."
"I know wot you were doin', Chipper," the big mouse chuckled. "twas only a matter of time, I knew. Dale won't be too 'appy, an' neither will Tammy, but they'll get over it."
The thought of the teenage squirrel who held him in such romantic regard made Chip shudder.

"Well, at least we'll only have to deal with one of them this trip."
Gadget suddenly got up and started puttering around with various tools, cleaning where there was no dirt, and basically avoiding the conversation.

Chip caught on right away.
"I said we only have to deal with one of them, right Gadget?"
She turned around.

"Well, technically…both. Tammy insisted on coming when I told her about it."

Chip pulled his fedora low over his eyes, and groaned. But then he brightened, and slipped his arm around Gadget's waist.

"Well, even then, as long as you're there, things will be a lot brighter on the horizon," he said.

Monterey Jack walked out the door and left the two new lovebirds alone.

"Oosh, they're getting a little mushy even fer me!"

That night at dinner, Gadget shook off years of propriety and flirted relentlessly with Chip. Dale noticed, and looked questioningly at Monterey Jack. The big mouse nodded. Dale gritted his teeth, on the verge of an angry outburst…but then he calmed, realizing it was a good match for his friend. There were other girls out there. Maybe even ones who liked comic books!

He was soon laughing along with his friends at a joke Foremole was trying to tell in his burring dialect. Monterey chuckled and slapped him on the back.

"That's the way, Dale me lad," he whispered. "I knew you'd see it the roight way."
"I gotta admit, its harder than I thought it would be, seein' them sittin' there…but I'm tryin'."

The merriment went on until rather late that night, until finally, Gadget stood up.

"Golly, it's getting late! Well everybody, I guess we'd better get to bed, we've got a long flight tomorrow." She hugged Monty and Dale, and then Chip. She pushed his fedora back a little, so she could see his eyes.

"I'll see you in the morning," she said, a little more breathlessly than she would have liked. Chip was standing up a little taller, a little prouder than he usually did. He'd accomplished both of his goals in life. To have a promising detective's career…and to have Gadget.

That night, Martin visited her again.

"Isn't the fog a bit much?" she asked with a grin.

Martin chuckled.

'Aye, perhaps 'tis time to change the entrance a bit. But that is not what I came here to talk to you about.'

She sighed.

"Don't tell me this whole warriormaid business means I can't have a meaningful relationship."

The older mouse laughed, a deep, hearty sound.

'Heaven forbid, child! There was one that I loved too, once. That…didn't work out as well as I had hoped, but at least we had some time.'

"What happened?"

Martin's face was still.

'She departed before me. Long before.'

"I'm sorry."

She looked at him a moment, considering.

"What are you exactly, Martin?"

The other mouse pulled a chair seemingly out of nowhere, and sat down. He thought for a minute.

'The best way I know how to put it,' he said, 'is that I am a guardian angel. It is my duty to watch over Redwall, and all those who live within. Such has been my responsibility since time immemorial. It seems like ten thousand seasons now. Perhaps it has been, I have not kept up with the passage of time.'

"Ten thousand seasons…twenty five hundred years. Wow."

'Aye. Blows one's mind, as you would say.'

He straightened.

'But I digress. I have come because you are in need of counsel, as to what your responsibility is.'

"Gosh yes. I don't have a clue about all this."

He looked into her eyes.

'The thought of having to kill horrifies you.'

"Yes."

His face was grim, but a hint of approval was there.

'Good. Good! It is not a thing a creature should do, unless there is the most dire need! Your nature is one of innocence, and a genius blossoms within you like few possess. I would not ask you to betray the principles in which you believe. The days of mighty deeds and perilous quests are over. But the need for leaders is still there. This is what you must do for me, Gadget. Lead my people. For yours is the mind of a tactician, an inventor, and an

engineer. It will fall to you not to overpower the enemy…but to outsmart them.'

The wisdom of his words began to dawn on her.

"I see…golly, I see! I can do it!"

'I know you can. But beware another of our family. They will trouble you soon.'

He looked off into the distance.

'We have passed the night here, girl. It is time for you to wake, for the journey. We will speak again.'

"Wait, another of our family? Who do you mean?"

As Martin faded, his voice drifted back to her.

'You will know…'

A few minutes later, Gadget rubbed her eyes, and sat up in bed. She shook her head, trying to clear it.

"Golly, I wish he could just come out in the daytime instead of messing with my sleep," she yawned. Throwing back the covers, she leaped to her feet, engaging in a few short calisthenics, as she did every morning. Looking out her window, she saw that she had awakened early, as usual. Dawn was just breaking, casting a radiant glow through what little of the storm front it could penetrate. There would be some rough flying today, she could tell.

Gadget had already packed everything she thought that she would conceivably need, so she decided to walk out to the hangar, and do a last minute check on the Rangerwing. If there was anything her father had taught her, it was that one could never be too careful, or too prepared.

Standing at the edge of the tree's hangar deck, the Abbess gazed into the morning mist, as if trying to discern something within it. She didn't turn, but detected Gadget's approach easily.

"You've risen early, my girl. And I thought Dibbuns were hard to keep abed."

"Dibbuns?"
"Abbey term for children."
"Ah."

"Did you sleep well?"
Gadget pulled a mock sour face.

"I would have, if a certain fellow of our mutual acquaintance who loves to wear armor hadn't kept me dreaming all night."

The Abbess chuckled.

"Ah, Martin has a character all his own. I suspect he was giving you somewhat of an education."

"Somewhat, yeah."
She sighed.

"I wish my father were still alive. He would have known how to deal with this so much better."

"Ah, but he is still alive, child. Here!" Brantalis said, placing her hand over Gadget's heart.
"As long as you live, he lives. You carry on his legacy and bring honor to his memory. He can never die."

Gadget bowed her head to the Abbess as she had seen Foremole do.

"Thanks. Science I can master, but sometimes wisdom has a hard time coming."

"All in good time, young one. All in good time."