Several hours later Kit awoke to a soft touch on his cheek and a smooth voice at his ear. "Wake up, young one," murmured Lotta, with a smile that made his fur stand up. "You killed Hacksaw. You would make a fine addition to Karnage's crew." Then she kissed him on the cheek, but it made Kit shudder in fear.

"Lotta, I think Kit would make a good crew member," Karnage said, as he marched through the door. The rest of the buccaneers entered the hut, looking chagrined that their airship had been stolen by a twelve-year-old cub. Ratchet entered the hut, his left arm wrapped in native bandages, and his eyes burned at Kit.

"Where are my friends?" Kit asked.

"After the battle my crew and I went to the village to regroup, when Mad Dog came in and told me that the Iron Vulture was gone, and Hacksaw was dead. So Lotta and I order every one back to the fort to kill the survivors. No one was here so we decided to take it over. When you and little Molly came here, I hit you over the head."

Kit realized that Molly was not in the hut and tried to get up, but a sharp pain in his left shoulder reminded him of what Hacksaw did to him. Kit started to cry, but Karnage barked at him to stop.

"Never cry Kit, never, ever cry. To me it's a sign of weakness," Karnage said pushing Kit to lie down and rest. Dumptruck saw the cub shivering realizing the stab wound would lead to infection.

"Drink this," Dumptruck ordered, passing him a bowl full of light red liquid. The cub stared at it with confusion.

"What is it," Kit asked, trying to swallow his sobs, his voice shaking.

"It's an old native remedy, used for infection and pain," Dumptruck said as he made Kit drink the stuff. He hated the taste of the drink, but it felt so good as it went down his throat.

"Where is Molly?" Kit demanded after he finished the drink. Karnage turned to Mad Dog, giving him a nod. Mad Dog left the hut and came back with Molly. The little cub had a bruise on her cheek.

Slowly, Lotta took a knee next to Molly. "Who hit you?" she asked.

Molly pointed at one of the pirates. Lotta had to make the others know the punishment for striking a child on her island. So she approached the pirate, drew her stone dagger, and plunged it into his heart.

Ratchet now realized if they were going to find the treasure, then Kit, Molly and Lotta had to be removed from the picture. He and twelve other pirates drew their weapons, ready to kill the cubs and Lotta, but Mad Dog, Dumptruck, Gibber, and Karnage stood in their way.

Ratchet demanded that they should get out of his way, but Karnage and the others would not hear of it.

"Look, if you kill the cubs then we won't have any leverage when Baloo and the others come back," Mad Dog said, but Ratchet had made up his mind.

With a dramatic flourish, Karnage pulled out the real map and threw it on the floor in front of Ratchet and his men. When they saw the map, all talk of killing him and the others ceased. Karnage turned to Kit and gave him a sly smile. The men passed the map around with shaking hands, as Kit laid back down to rest.

Later that night, Lotta and Karnage cared for Kit's wound. Memories of meeting Karnage and his crew ran through his mind. He realized that not all pirates were bad, because the ones that stood up for him showed great loyalty.

"Why, boss," Mad Dog asked, "why did you give up the map like that?"

"I did it to save us from the mutiny," he said firmly. Soon everyone went to sleep, but not Karnage. He was determined to keep the ones he cared for alive.

Kit woke early that morning, and saw that his wound was almost healed. He was sore, but not in pain. Then someone began shouting from behind the fort's walls.

"Karnage, I wish to enter." Karnage looked out the hut's door and saw that it was Dr. Sinian.

"Hello, doctor," Karnage called out, "why do you think I would let you in?" he asked. But Dr. Sinian did not give him an answer; she just walked toward the fort even when the pirates were threatening to shoot her.

"Well, time to put this dumb bimbo down," Ratchet snickered through his teeth. As he took aim at the doctor, Lotta put her knife to his throat.

"If you fire one shot, I will kill you where you stand," Lotta threatened. Ratchet slowly lowered his rifle, and Lotta sheathed her knife.

When Dr. Sinian entered the fort, she was happy to see Kit and Molly, but then frowned. Kit could tell that she was upset with him and Molly for running away.

"I just came to see if you are taking your medicine," Sinian said. Looking at Lotta, she got a nod, Mad Dog, Dumptruck, and Gibber gave a nod too. "And what about you, Don Karnage?" she asked.

"Me," he replied, "I take it like a soldier every day."

"You better let me look at Ratchet, because I can see that he looks rather sick," Sinian calmly said. "Let me see your tongue."

"I feel fine," Ratchet said not making any eye contact with the doctor.

"Come on, stick out your tongue," Dr. Sinian ordered. Ratchet did as he was told. "Your tongue is fit to frighten the French. We must deal with this now," Dr. Sinian said, and pulled some pills from her bag. But Ratchet only pushed them away.

"Karnage, would you give me some help with this one?" she asked, rather annoyed. Karnage looked at Dumptruck and snapped his fingers. Without warning, Dumptruck grabbed Ratchet from the back and forced his mouth open. Dr. Sinian took the pills and shoved them down his throat.

"Now that I took care of your man here, I would like to speak with Kit and Molly," Sinian said firmly. Karnage did not trust the doctor and went with them. When they got outside, Sinian asked Kit why'd he run off with Molly.

"We did it to help Baloo, and we hid the Vulture at the north pass," Kit said. Then Karnage stepped forward.

"May I have a word with Dr. Sinian?" he asked. Kit nodded and moved aside. Karnage informed her that he was going to return Molly, so that she would not get in his way, but then he and Dr. Sinian had a private talk.

When they were through, Dr. Sinian took Molly, and gave Kit some advice. He was to stay by Karnage and Lotta at all times. Then she shook his hand, winked, and walked off into the jungle.

Something was up, but Kit knew better than to say anything. If there was a plan—and he knew that there was—it would be best to keep quiet.

Kit could hear Ratchet shouting at Karnage for letting Molly go, but he was silenced by a slap from Lotta.

"You will not talk that way to Karnage," Lotta snapped. Ratchet did not say anything else. Soon the pirates packed up their tools, and tied a rope around Kit, so if he tried to run Karnage would stop him. Then they all marched into the jungle to find the treasure.