Don Karnage and four men were just outside the stockade and waving a white flag.

Captain Feral urged everyone to stay inside and keep what weapons they had at the ready. He didn't trust Karnage, and suspected a trap of some sort.

"What do you want, Karnage?" yelled Feral. The pirates stood there with their eyes fixed on the captain.

"All I want is a safe conduct in and out of this stockade," Karnage said, tapping on one of the wooden poles. The captain knew that there was no chance of escape if he tried anything.

"If there is any treachery, it will be on your side, not ours," Feral said lowering his Colt .45 revolver. Kit could see Karnage smiling, as he slowly moved his hand toward his sword.

Dumptruck, however protested against him going in alone. "Don't do it, Captain Karnage!" he said, taking hold of the Don's shoulder, but Karnage pushed his hand away with a scoff.

"I know a gentleman when I see one," Karnage said sticking his sword into the ground, as if to show that he was not going to cause any trouble. "And Captain Feral, like I said, is an honest man."

When Karnage reached the porch where Feral was waiting, he saluted in a formal manner. Feral, however, did not. He would show no respect to a pirate who had been using the crew as his own private army.

Kit could tell that the men waiting outside were getting nervous, but they would not risk losing their captain. Karnage asked if he could come in to talk, but Feral said no. So they sat down on some stumps outside.

Before Karnage could say a thing, Gibber came running in with his flag of truce. The small dog made his way over to his captain and whispered something to him. Feral saw the look he gave Gibber when he heard that the map they had was a fake.

"What do you mean the map is a fake?!" Karnage said with a sneer. Gibber then whispered something to him again. "I know what the word fake means," he said taking hold of Gibber's coat with one hand, pulling him close to his face, and with growl, tossed him like a rag doll.

"Now here it is," said Karnage, "I know now that you have the real map and I aim to get it. If you give it to me, I can stop my men from killing you all. Once I've found the treasure, you come aboard with us, and I give you my word you will be dropped off ten miles outside of Megakat City."

"Or you can stay here, and I promise I will send the very next airship we meet to rescue you and your friends," Karnage said, getting to his feet.

Captain Feral replied that if the pirates were willing to surrender to him, he would take them back to Megakat City to stand trial. Those were his only terms.

Karnage grew angry and pointed to the whole group, shouting a curse, "When I come back, you will see Feral and Baloo fall before your feet," he said, grinding his teeth. "They will die begging for their lives." Then he turned to leave, but stopped halfway out of the stockade. "One more thing, Kit," he said turning to face Kit with a cruel smile. "You would have saved your friends, if you had given me the real map."

Karnage left the stockade and joined his men outside. Feral watched them go into the jungle and disappear behind the tree line. Captain Feral ordered everyone to return to their posts, to prepare for an attack from the pirates. He urged them to eat a hearty breakfast, as they soon would be needing all their strength.

Baloo went over to an old safe and opened it to reveal a stash of firearms and swords. He pulled out a sword that had his name on it. Kit could tell that it was a Scottish Claymore, and it looked like it was brand new.

Jake and Chance sorted out the firearms-there were two IMI Desert Eagles, two Ruger Mini-14's, a pair of Buffalo rifles and one IMI Tavor TAR-21. Baloo took one of the Eagles and a Buffalo rifle, Shere Khan took the other Eagle and a Ruger. Myra picked up the TAR-21, and took to the roof, as a sniper would do. Rebecca hid in the corner of the hut with Molly, gripping the last Buffalo rifle so tightly that her hands were turning white.

By the time everyone had a weapon, they heard native war cries and the sound of the Iron Vulture approaching. Baloo told Jake and Chance about Klang's jet he kept down in the fort's basement, so the cats rushed for the jet. Kit heard the jet start up and rushed over to the door to see it come out of a hidden hanger, ready to stand against the Iron Vulture.

Then the attack began.