Game On- Part 4 (Keyop's Catastrophe)
The team rose bright and early to search for their lost teammate. Grabbing a quick bite of coconut, they set off early in separate directions to cover the island. They were all hoping that Tiny had just rested somewhere for the night and that he had eaten or drank something by now.
They scoured the island, still worried about Tiny dehydrating and being unconscious somewhere. They also wondered, although no one had stated it, if they were not on the island alone. It seemed deserted enough, yet something was very strange about this place. And what was that invisible barrier they had hit? They would need to be extra cautious from here on out.
Keyop wandered through the trees, calling for Tiny. It seemed the communication bracelets were blocked, and he wondered if the force field had anything to do with it. As he continued on, he tried not to be distracted by the variety of creatures and insects lurking on the island. However, he suddenly heard a faint cry off in the distance.
He rushed through the trees, bolos in hand. Branches blurred past in his peripheral vision. As he arrived at the place where the sound originated from, he realized that it wasn't Tiny at all, but a black dog, that seemed to be caught in a trap and wounded. He was limping and whining loudly, and he had the most pitiful look on his face.
Keyop gently untangled the dog from his trap and stroked his head softly.He rubbed his chin as he looked over the dog for wounds. "You look familiar to me…you remind me of…INKSPOT! You are Ink Spot!"
He jumped up excitedly, causing the dog to back away with his tail between his legs. Keyop stooped down again and held his hand out toward the slim canine. "It's ok, Ink Spot, we'll find your owner. Don't worry; the Great Swallow will look after you…WHOA!"
All of the sudden, chains bound the Swallow's legs, swiftly hanging him upside down, and more chains bound his wrists, causing him to drop his bolos on the ground. The dog backed away quickly and wagged his tail at the Spectran soldiers who surrounded Keyop.
One of the soldiers radioed Zoltar. "That's two down, Sire, we caught the little one, sir."
Keyop could hear the voice on the other end. "Excellent! Bring him in and put him with the big one… and reward Perun for his wonderful acting..."
"Yes, sir." The goon hooked he radio onto his belt and then attached a leash onto Perun's collar. Perun began wagging his tail and barking excitedly. The soldier looked down and grinned at the wagging beast.
"Look's like it's steak tonight for you, little guy…"
The other soldiers pulled the Swallow down and drug him to their secret lair. Keyop looked back at the dog, who now appeared to be fine. He scowled, "Ink Spot! You little traitor! How could you? You belong to Zoltar? And what kind of a name is Perun, anyway? I thought all the animals loved me..."
Meanwhile, the team returned to the campsite, exhausted from searching everywhere for Tiny. They sat down on mats, scanning the long coastline, waiting for Keyop to return. As the sun began to disappear in the horizon, Princess gazed at Mark and Jason apprehensively, blinking back tears. "Something's happened to Keyop, I'm sure of it… he would've been back by now…"
Mark and Jason tried their best to reassure her, although they were beginning to believe the worst themselves. "Princess," Mark stated as he stoked the fire with a stick," I believe we're not on this island alone, and Keyop and Tiny should have returned by now. It's not like them to disappear and not communicate with us somehow…"
Jason spoke up, "But the communicators aren't working, Mark, how could they? What if they were taken so quickly that they couldn't? Or what if…"
Mark hushed him quickly. He had rushed over to Princess' side and held her close. She was openly sobbing now; terrified that something horrible had happened to her teammates.
Jason realized that all of his speculation was making things worse. He switched gears, "Hey, Princess, don't worry, knowing those two, I'm sure they're ok, we'll find them tomorrow."
The Condor mentally kicked himself for thinking such negative thoughts to begin with. They had to remain positive if they were to survive this ordeal. He went into the shelter, laid down a mat, and contemplated their predicament.
Mark and Princess reclined by the fire, wrapped up together, comforting one another. Princess was still broken up, and confided in Mark about her greatest fears. They were no longer speaking to each other as Commander and subordinate, but as close friends and companions.
"If I lost any of you, I'd die, too. You are all my family…" She wiped a tear off of her cheek.
"Especially you, Mark, I care for you…deeply."
Mark still had his arms wrapped around her protectively. "I feel the same way about you, Princess…" He took the opportunity to kiss her softly. "Remember, if we die, we die together…I couldn't live without you, either. We'll find them, somehow…don't worry…" He snuggled closer to her and they eventually fell asleep by the fire.