A/N: Shout outs to my anonymous reviewer and James Birdsong. Glad you liked it! More trouble is on the way. ;)
Chapter 30
The soldiers pulled out their rifles and everyone carefully entered the building. They stayed on the footprints slowly sweeping the building around them. There were no signs of life as they reached the end of the footprints in the dirt. Right in front of them was a rickety old metal staircase. Zetti turned and looked at Fiyero.
"I think we need a little flight to help us here," Elphaba said as she took a good look at the steps.
"Do we even need to go up there? How could anyone use these without falling through them?" Private Roth wondered.
"A legitimate point," Sergeant Duncan said.
"Baki, could you check the landing for us?" Fiyero asked. The Falcon nodded and quickly left his perch on the Captain's shoulder. He landed on the railing that ran along the metal walkway.
"My Captain, someone has made a point if being very clever. The stairs are not as unstable as they seem. Come have a look on the underside," Baki said. Zetti was closest so he ducked underneath.
"Someone has been making being here a habit. The stairs are bracketed from underneath," the Lieutenant told them. Elphaba went over to take a look. Someone had indeed used some of the loose metal and managed to skillfully joined them to the support the stairs.
"This looks like a blacksmiths work," the green woman said.
"Aside from Mr. Vados, how many blacksmiths are in town?" Fiyero asked.
"At least half a dozen," Corporal Bock spoke up. Elphaba headed up the stairs to join Baki and the others slowly followed.
"What do your keen eyes see?" The green woman asked the Bird.
"Well, the dirt doesn't linger on this metal pathway, but we get lucky when it turns to wood. Miss Elphaba, heebie jeebies would seem appropriate for this place. I fear the dead Corporal was not who he seemed," Baki said as the others walked toward the wooden floor some six feet away.
"I worry that he might have been the patsy. Something about Zink doesn't add up," she admitted.
"Could be. These men will protect you but be careful. You are our savior, whether you intended to be or not. There are those who will do anything to take your position. I know you can show them the error of their ways. Know that us Animals will rise up in your defense," the Falcon said.
"You have been talking to the others?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Mister Chistery. He cares, as do we all," Baki gave smile before launching himself into the air and heading for his perch on the Captain's shoulder. Elphaba nodded and quickly joined the others.
"Someone has been living here," Fiyero pointed out. There was a bed with a ratty blanket and some canned food nearby. Zetti grabbed his arm and put a finger to his lips. Slowly the group turned and they could hear someone coming. Elphaba was the one in front as they faced the person coming towards them.
"I see you got my message. Though I have to admit, I wasn't expecting you'd bring her with you," the voice was familiar and they all couldn't believe it.
"Lieutenant Bayram?"
To Be Continued…