Mandrake had given Flash some coordinates which had made it pretty clear that he was basically landing in the middle of the african jungle.
„That's so not what I was expecting to do today," he admitted while getting out of the ship. He had planned on making calls, funeral arragements, spending time with his children, crying and grieving – but not looking for a ghost in the jungle.

„Well, always expect the unexpected," Lothar said. „It wasn't on my todo list for today either. But if the Phantom can help us bring our sons back..."

„Where will we find him?" Flash asked, looking around the clearing they had landed on.

„Just wait," Mandrake said. „If he is present, we will be brought to him shortly." He was still wearing his suit and tophat which Flash found a bit strange. He and Lothar had dressed themselves a bit more appropriately for the destination. But to each his own, he thought.

„Wait," Flash interrupted. „Are you saying you have no idea if he is even here? So it could very well be that we're wasting valuable time right now?"

„Well, the Phantom is a man of mystery," Mandrake admitted. „He used to travel a lot, but... these days, most wars are intergalatic and there hasn't really been one in our lifetime, so... while he is sometimes called by people or tribes he swore to protect and while he will fight crime and injustice when it falls into his jurisdiction, I guess it's a lot less work than it used to be in the old days. However, of course, this might soon change with the looming threat of Ming on the horizon."

„What Mandrake means to say is that most likely, the Phantom will be home," Lothar said.

„I'll sure hope so," Flash grumbled when suddenly, their surroundings became alive and several natives stepped out of the bushes, surrounding them.

Mandrake calmly lifted his hand. He was wearing a ring with a strange insignia on it. The natives stopped and quietly talked in their own language. Then from behind the trees another native appeared. From the looks of it, it was clearly their chief.

„Chief Guran," Mandrake greeted the new arrival. „It has been a long time."

„That is has, Mandrake," the Chief replied in somewhat broken but overall rather good English. „What brings you here today?"

„Me and my two friends here must see the Ghost Who Walks, if he's available," Mandrake explained. „We bring bad news of a potential alien invasion and two kidnapped sons. We need the Phantom's assistance to find where the two boys have been taken to, for we believe they are still on Earth somewhere."

„Please wait here, then," Chief Guran replied, slowly nodding his head. „Those are grave news indeed. I will ask if the Phantom will see you."

„Please," Flash impatiently interrupted, stepping forward. „He must help us! My son – and my friend Lothar's son – they might be in grave danger!"

Guran did not seem to like Flash stepping towards him. Two of his tribe warriors immediately shielded him. Mandrake walked up to Flash and put a hand on his shoulders.

„Be patient, my friend," he said. „I have never heard of the Phantom denying help to anyone who seeks it."

„Do wait here," Guran instructed.

While some natives remained, staying apart from the group but always keeping a watchful eye on them, the others disappeared as quietly as they had come.

„You need to let me take the lead here," Mandrake reminded Flash. „It took a long time for the Phantom to fully trust me, and even longer for Guran, Chief of the Bandar tribe. Just let me do the talking here, Flash."

„Fine," he agreed, pacing back and forth impatiently. „But if this takes too long, I'll be on my way back. I need to find a way to save Rick and LJ, and that's not being done by standing around here."

„Good things will come to those who are patient, my friend," Mandrake reminded him. „Don't forget, you are asking help from a person who does not know you. You cannot expect from him to make a decision this very minute."

Thankfully, a short while later, Guran returned and waved at them to follow him. This was a good sign according to Mandrake, while Flash still wanted to do something more than just standing and walking.

„How can you remain so calm?" he asked Lothar who was walking behind him.

„I'm not calm, I'm furious at Ming and scared for my son at the same time," Lothar replied. „But I also trust Mandrake with my life, so I know that for now, all I can do is trust his judgement that all of this will be worth it and this Phantom person will help us."

The arrived at the Bandar village but did not go in. In fact, they did not see much of it at all, for it was safely hidden behind trees and bushes and rocks. Instead, they went further into the jungle and soon, Flash had no idea where they were. All he could do now was also trusting Mandrake.

And then, finally, they had reached their destination. Although they only saw jungle everywhere they looked, they seemed to be near some caves now, for suddenly between the thick bushes and trees, rocks became visible. But through the green thicket, they couldn't see much more.

„We are here," Guran said, stepping aside to reveal a rock that looked somewhat like a skull with an opening that led deep inside, probably into a cave of some sort.

„Ah, the Skull Cave," Mandrake replied with a smile. „I've only been here once. But this is not something I will ever forget."

„Remember, this is an honor few people receive," Guran reminded them. „You are not to talk about whatever you will see or hear inside."
„Of course we will keep the Phantom's secrets," Mandrake promised.

„Then you may enter," Guran said and the three men walked into the dark opening which proved to be an empty, dark cave with stone walls and a sandy floor.

„Follow me," Mandrake said, using his magic to shine some light. Now they could see different paths leading into different caves. Mandrake chose one of them, guiding them along, until suddenly, the floors weren't sandy anymore and there were selfmade furniture items to be seen, lining the walls – a chair, a small sidetable with a bowl of water on top, or some wooden spears leaning against the wall. Mandrake didn't need his light anymore for there were torches attached to the walls that were spending enough light so they could see where they were going.

„Shouldn't be far now," Mandrake informed them, slowing down a bit before continuing straight ahead. And then there they were, in a huge cave with a stone seat and some basic furniture. The floor was sandy again. There was a black panther sleeping in the corner who didn't even stir when the three men entered.

On the stone seat sat a tall and muscular man who was wearing a dark purple suit and had his eyes hidden behind a black mask. He appeared very impressive and all eyes were immediately on him. They nearly missed the young girl sitting next to the panther, wearing practical cargo pants and a black t-shirt, with beautiful green eyes and shoulder-lenght brown hair.

„It's good to see you again, Phantom," Mandrake spoke. He went over to the other man and respectfully shook his hand. Then he looked at the girl. „And you too, Jedda. My, you do have grown a bit since we've last met."

„Well, it's been a while," the girl said with a smile, gently stroking the panther's thick, black fur.

„These gentlemen are Flash Gordon and Lothar Kehwabe. Lothar is a very old friend of mine and I have been working with Flash in the past," Mandrake introduced. „They are very thankful and honored to have been invited into the Skull Cave and they will, of course, keep your secrets as much as I have done over the last few years."

„Of course we will," Flash said, also stepping forward. „Please forgive the sudden intrusion, but we're in kind of a hurry. Our sons have been kidnapped by Ming the Merciless."

„We do believe he has a hideout somewhere on Earth, most likely somewhere in America," Lothar added, also stepping forward. „But it could be everywhere. We were hoping you would assist us in finding them and bringing our boys home."

The Phantom sat down and Mandrake gestured at the two others that they too should sit down as well. Then he took the lead and explained what had happened.

„Yes, I've come across Ming before," the Phantom finally said in a very husky and calm voice. „Or rather, his ice robots and other riffraff working for him. They tried many times to take valuable resources from us or other tribes or the jungle in general, killing people, animals and plants in the process. I do believe the invasion has already begun – some of Ming's people are already on Earth, doing his bidding."

„But do you know where?" Flash asked.

„Not yet," the Phantom admitted. „But I've been working on it because I was thinking about stopping them at the source rather than waiting for them to come here all the time. I do think, however, that if Ming wants you for some reason, he would not hide miles away. If he wanted to just kill your family, he would have shot them down on the spot, as harsh as that sounds. I believe he wants you to come and try rescue your son, so wherever he took the prisoners it might not be that far away from Central City or at the very least is somewhere in America."

„That's what we thought," Lothar said. „But there are still so many places someone could hide. If we take too long, I'm afraid he might kill my son LJ for we think he was just taken because he happened to be with Rick at that very moment. Ming might not know who LJ is and if he, too, could be valuable in taking Flash down but if all of this takes too long then..."

„I understand," the Phantom said. „I will get in contact with some of my sources. They always keep their eyes and ears open. If Ming is planning something, someone must have seen his spaceships going back and forth at least a few times."

„The Space Center checked it already," Flash said. „No activity in space – which is the area they're closely monitoring – and nobody reported any sightings of Mingships anywhere."

„He's not dumb enough to land in a surburban neighbourhood or in front of a mall," Lothar said. „But even in more rural areas, people – or scanners – or cameras would have picked up something..."

„The sources I go to in these cases are people who don't live the life of ordinary people," the Phantom explained. „When they see strange things that don't affect them or their way of life, they usually just let them be. They would report a kidnapping, of course, but they would not necessarily alert the world of a spaceship flying by. Usually, these are people with special abilities, who chose to live life without technology or society."

„Some can communicate with animals via mental telepathy, like I learned to do," the girl, Jedda, suddenly said. All eyes were on her now. „I am of Phantom blood, therefore as my father and my ancestors, I do have special powers myself. Some of my father's friends once helped me to enhance them. You would be surprised what animals can tell you. Even if humans didn't see the aliens, robots or spaceships, animals might have."

„That's very useful..." Flash was trying his best not to be rude. „But how much time will that take?"

„I understand your worries," the Phantom said. „I will ask Guran immediately to put word out to the people I think can provide us with the best answers. You would be surprised how fast word travels within this community. Meanwhile, I do think it is time to put an end to Ming's invasion. My ancestors have always fought pirates and dictators and criminals. It is my duty and my wish to offer you my help. Not only to rescue your sons, although this has, of course, priority for now, but to keep fighting Ming in the future as well."

Flash looked at him in surprise, but so did Mandrake.

„Well, I wasn't expecting that, but I can't lie, I was hoping for it," he said. „You are welcome to stay as my guest in Central City, Phantom."
„Can you leave here this easily?" Lothar wondered.

„If duty calls for it, I can," the Phantom said. „I do think with how fast travel is these days via spaceships, I would not need too much time to be back here if I'm needed. However... as you can see, I have a daughter, Jedda. And I do suspect that Ming will not be brought to his knees overnight. I don't want her to stay behind on her own for months."

„I can manage, Father," Jedda assured him. „I've been on my own here before."

„Yes, but that was no longer than two or three weeks at a time," her father replied. „I have a feeling this might take longer than that."

„Jedda is also welcome," Mandrake offered. „She can join our kids at school, too. I believe you've said something last time we've met about sending her to school somewhere? If you haven't made arrangements yet, this would be a good possibility."

Jedda did not look too impressed with this idea, but the Phantom nodded. „Yes, I have been planning to, but nothing has been arranged yet for Jedda expressed her desire to continue her studies here. However, now that the opportunity presents itself, I think we will give it a try."

„But Father!" Jedda exclaimed. „I can stay here with Guran. There is no need for me to come with you. I don't want to live in the city."
„It will be a good experience for you, Jedda," the Phantom insisted. „Besides, it will not be forever. If you really hate it that much, we can talk about it again after some times has passed. Now please go and pack your things and I will do the same."
The girl looked like she wanted to continue protesting but in the end, she gave up. „Fine," she sighed. „I will give it a chance. But surely I can bring Kisa along? I'll be terribly homesick without her."

Everyone's eyes wandered to the panther who had opened her eyes when her name was mentioned but made no movement otherwise.

„Well, uh..." Mandrake wasn't terribly keen on animals in the house. And a panther...?

„Well, we do have a little zuffoid, so what's one more?" Flash asked, refering to Zuffy who was currently at the Space Center being examined since he was supposed to be extinct. The people there had promised Rick that if all tests were done and nothing out of the ordinary showed up and if Zuffy would adjust well to the temperatures on Earth, he could take the little guy home with him.

„Kisa is well trained and would not harm anyone," the Phantom assured them. „But I understand, of course, if you don't want a panther in your home."

„Well..." Looking at the young girl's face, Mandrake sighed. „If you can built him – or her a place to stay outside in the garden I think it will be fine. But if Kshin, LJ or Amy does object or is too frightened, I must insist that you take your panther back here, young lady."

„Let's have her stay for a trial period," the Phantom suggested. „Once Jedda's found friends and is busy at school, maybe Kisa can return back to Bengalla then."

„I'm thankful for your help, Phantom," Flash said. He would have allowed ten tigers in return for his help. „And I do promise you, if you ever need my help, here in the jungle or elsewhere, do not hesitate to contact me.

„Thank you," the Phantom replied while Jedda left the room to start packing, Kisa now close behind her. „I do appreciate it."
Half an hour later, both Jedda and the Phantom had packed their bags and they were on their way back to Central City.

Note: I'm not a fan of Kisa coming along everywhere, even sitting next to Jedda during battles in space. But I've reread my old notes for This Is Their Story recently and Kisa does show up in some episode descriptions in earlier season. I guess she and Zuffy could be around but (if the rest of the story would ever be written which it won't) would not be mentioned that much.