Chapter 5:
Meanwhile With Martin And Emily:
After leaving the Tortuga Martin and Emily drove the Createrra to the location where they had first met King. They got out and began looking around for King, or signs he had been there. Despite having to search, both couldn't help, but enjoy the time alone, and would sneak glances at the other when they weren't looking. After searching for a few minutes they became discouraged finding no sign of King or even that he had been there recently.
"Did you find anything Martin?" Emily asked frustrated.
"No, nothing. You?" Martin answered.
"Nothing! Martin, you don't think Stone found King do you?"
"No, I don't. He's out there somewhere watching, I can feel him, can't you?" Martin said looking at her.
"You're right, I…I guess I still feel guilty about the whole Stone thing." Emily said sadly, as she sat on a rock.
"Don't, it's okay now." Martin assured her gently as he sat beside her.
"How can you guys forgive Lainey and I so easily, after we almost handed King over to Stone?" Emily questioned.
"We can because everyone makes mistakes, and we also knew you'd discover the truth."
"Thanks." She said smiling shyly at him.
"You're welcome."
"Alright, enough with the pity party, we have a lion to protect and villains to stop!" She said quickly as she stood, suddenly uncomfortable with Martin being so close, she didn't trust herself.
"Let's try the watering hole near here." Martin suggested as he stood.
After checking a few places they still hadn't found King or any sign of him anywhere, and both Martin and Emily were beginning to think maybe Stone did capture him. As they thought that, they both got a weird feeling something wasn't right with the others. They looked at each, and both knew something was wrong, something was very wrong!
"We have to go back!" They said at the same time.
"Something's wrong Martin!" Emily said nervously.
"I feel it too!" He answered as they rushed to the Createrra.
With Chris And Lainey:
After being taken Chris and Lainey were taken to one of Stone's jeeps and then driven back to his jet. Once they arrived Carter grabbed them and took them inside to the control room, he sat them down and tied them to the chairs, Stone came in smiling.
"Ah, welcome to my home away from home! Now, I'm going to have Carter remove your gags and you're going to behave, nod if you understand." Stone said as Chris and Lainey both nodded. "Good, go ahead Carter." Stone ordered as he sat.
"Yes sir." Carter said removing Chris' first, he then removed Lainey's, but as he went to pull his hand away she bit his fingers. "Let my fingers go, you little…"
"That's enough!" Stone yelled cutting Carter off, Lainey let go. "Carter go get fixed up!"
"You two will pay for that, you…"
"Carter, don't make me repeat myself!" Stone said cutting him off again, Carter turned angrily and walked out holding his injured hand. "I thought you were smarter than that dear Lainey?"
"I told you Stone, we aren't afraid of you two!" Chris said angrily.
"And I told you, that you should be!"
"I know my brother, and he'll never agree to help you Stone!" Chris said smiling.
"Neither will my sister!" Lainey added smiling too.
"Oh, but I think they will! You two seem to forget how strong the bond of family is! Think hard, if the places were reversed would you agree to save them?" Stone asked smiling, neither answered. "Your silence is answer enough for me! I think I'll put your gags back on for now!" Stone said as he got up and put their gags back. "I have things to do, but don't worry I'll be back soon and then the fun can begin!" Stone said before he left.
At The Tortuga:
When Martin and Emily returned to the Tortuga, they parked and looked around, everything seemed normal on the outside. They rushed inside calling to the team, not getting any answer they went to the control room. They both stopped just inside the door, they looked at each other before Martin rushed to search for Chris and Lainey, while Emily untied the team. Martin searched the entire Tortuga, but they weren't there, he rushed back to the control room and before he could say anything Aviva spoke.
"Stone took them!" Aviva said angrily.
"What? How?" Emily asked.
"Stone and Carter showed up here with six other men all armed, and they tied us up before they took Chris and Lainey!" Koki explained.
"He also said that if you want them returned you have to call him!" Jimmy added.
"Koki, call Stone's jet please." Martin said clenching his fists.
"On it!" Koki answered rushing to her computer.
Martin and Emily stood together facing the screen waiting for Stone to respond. Finally after two tries they finally got a response, Stone sat smiling, Carter stood on his right.
"Stone, you piece of scum! Let me see my brother now!" Martin demanded wasting no time after Stone answered.
"Martin, my boy I'm hurt! No hello's, or how are you's?" Stone mocked.
"Screw you Stone! Let me see Chris and Lainey!" Martin demanded again.
"Fine, fine! Carter, please bring our guests of honour over here!" Stone ordered.
"Yes sir!" Carter said as he left the camera's sight for a few seconds before he returned with two chairs, he turned them around to show Chris and Lainey tied up and gagged, but otherwise unharmed.
"Chris, Lainey!" Both Martin and Emily said together.
"Remove their gags Carter please." Stone said.
"Martin!" Chris said.
"Emily!" Lainey added.
"Are…are you both okay?" Emily asked.
"We're okay." Lainey answered.
"For now!" Stone said smiling.
"What's that mean?" Martin demanded.
"It means, that I'm giving you a chance to have your precious baby Wild Ratts returned to you…alive and unharmed! Interested?" Stone asked smirking.
"We're listening!" Martin answered.
"You all know I'm after the white lion, and I'm not a stupid man I know one…or even all of you have seen it! So, my deal is simple really, the Wild Ratts for my lion!" Stone explained.
"That's not fair Stone!" Emily yelled before she could stop herself.
"Life's not fair cupcake! Your answer, what is it?"
"We'll do it!" Martin said through clenched teeth.
"I knew you would. You have three days to find and capture my lion, and make no mistake Wild Ratts, I have no conscious! Which means I have no problem killing them!"
"We'll get you your lion! You remember something too Stone, you hurt them and I'll hunt you down and tear you apart with my bare hands!" Martin threatened.
"Good to know Marty, my boy, good to know! Three days Wild Ratts, three!" Stone said smiling as he stood behind Chris and Lainey. "Say goodbye to your brother and sister, baby Ratts!" He said squeezing their shoulders.
"Hang in there, we're coming for you I promise! I love you Chris!" Martin said.
"I love you Lainey!" Emily added.
"I love you Martin!" Chris said.
"I love you too Emily!" Lainey added.
"See you soon." Stone said as the call ended.
With Chris And Lainey:
After the call ended Lainey hung her head, her face hidden by her hair, she tried to be strong not wanting to show any kind of weakness in front of Stone and Carter. Suddenly she felt someone take her hand, she looked over and saw Chris had a hold of her hand; she smiled sadly as she looked at him.
"Stay strong Lane's, they will get us out of here!" Chris whispered smiling sadly.
"Well, mini Kratts, it's up to your older siblings now! How much do they truly love you? How much are they willing to sacrifice for you? I guess we'll find out in three days huh?"
"They'll stop you Stone!" Chris said smiling, still holding Lainey's hand. "You might as well give…"
"Shut up you little weasel!" Carter yelled cutting Chris off as he punched him in the face.
"Chris!" Lainey said scared.
"I'm okay Lainey." Chris said starring at Carter angrily, his nose bleeding.
"This calls for a drink, Carter could you?" Stone said smiling, as Carter went to the mini bar and began making Stone a drink.
"What are you going to do to us if they don't find the lion?" Lainey asked.
"Kill you!" Stone answered as Carter handed him his drink. "Jeez, talk about pressure! I hope they're as good as you want them to be!" Stone said as he laughed. "Tick, tock Wild Ratts! Tick, tock!"
With Martin And Emily:
After the call ended no one spoke or moved, all of their eyes on Martin who stood starring at the floor, breathing deeply, fists clenched. Seconds past, they slowly looked at each other, still no one spoke, until Martin did startling everyone out of their thoughts.
"We have three days! Koki, search the area for prides of lions, once you find some send their co-ordinates to my Creature pod!" Martin said still starring at the floor, his back to them.
"You're really going to do this?" Aviva asked.
"What choice do we have?" Martin answered turning to face them. "I won't let Chris and Lainey die! I'm doing it with or without your help Aviva, I don't need or want your approval!"
"Emily, are you…"
"Going to help? I' am!" Emily stated cutting Aviva off. "You wouldn't understand, that's not your family being held hostage by some sick freak!" Emily said angrily, trying to hide her fear behind her anger.
"Alright…we'll help! Koki, you heard MK let's bring them home!" Aviva said.
"Thank you." Emily said grateful as she hugged them, no one realized Martin had gone outside until the hug ended.
"Where did Martin go?" Jimmy asked.
"He's outside." Emily answered as she saw him sit on a rock.
"Go talk to him, while we get to work." Aviva said smiling sadly.
He needed to get some fresh air to clear his head, so while the others were talking Martin snuck away and went outside. He sat on a rock and looked at the night sky, sighing, he knew what they were doing was wrong, but what choice did they have? Stone had Chris and Lainey, if he failed…they lose their lives! He put his arms on his legs and hung his head running his hands through his hair trying to keep his tears from falling. He was so lost in his thoughts he never noticed Emily join him, until she sat beside him and took his hand. He turned and looked at her, they smiled sadly at each other before they starred at the sky neither speaking or letting go of the others hand.
TBC…