- Chapter 4 -
The menacing figure of the Iron Vulture loomed over the city of Cape Suzette. People were still running off the streets, screaming, and trying to lock themselves inside their homes. Even the police was fleeing when the Air Pirates would shoot at their cars from their planes. And those who were not flying and shooting were already on the ground, breaking windows and invading stores and business and taking everything they wanted and sometimes setting up fires inside for fun.
Inside his tower, Shere Khan watched as his city was plundered. The massive tiger turned from the window and sat down before his desk and, as his intercom beeped, he pressed the button to talk.
- Mr. Khan - a frightened feminine voice of his secretary came through - S-Should I call your Limo, Sir?
The tiger eyes were cold and unemotional. - That will not be necessary, Mrs. Snarly. This tower is perfectly safe-
However, he was interrupted by the sounds of the windows from two floors below shattering under the gunfire from a passing pirate plane. Khan's only gesture was to pause for a moment and then continue - I will stay, Mrs. Snarly, thank you. - and he turned off the intercom.
The richest man in Cape Suzette placed both his paws on his desk, staring with eyes growing visibly narrower...then he unsheathed his claws and dragged them against the wood, leaving deep marks and snarling one name - Don...Karnage...
Meanwhile a strange squad of planes, led by a familiar yellow cargo plane, was getting closer and closer to the U.S.S. Valiant. Soon they were within visual range.
- Okay, fellas, you all know yer thing. - Baloo broadcasted on the radio to the other planes - We gotta distract those guys so Kit and Jon can give 'em sweet dreams. You're both ready back there?
The navigator was setting his goggles on and had two crossed belts with grenades over his chest in an X. - All ready here Papa Bear!
Jon himself was taking off his glasses and jacket and gave them to Rebecca - After this gets wet it would weigh a ton...so Kit, tell me again...HOW are you going to get on that boat? - the accountant asked as he got himself a grappling gun.
Kit simply grinned - Like this! - And he pressed the button that opened the cargo bay doors, grabbed his surfing rope, ran to the edge and jumped.
The golden brown bear eyes widened and he ran to the edge in panic, only to see the bearcub flip open his airfoil and slip it under his feet and gracefully surf the clouds behind the Sea Duck.
- Man...now I've seen everything... - the accountant whispered very impressed.
- Okay, boys, time to face the music! - Baloo screamed from the cockpit and the squad of planes dove toward the battleship.
From the bridge of the U.S.S. Valiant, Gibber looked at the sky and gasped, came to Don Karnage's side and whispered in his ear.
- What do you mean they are attacking again? I thought those eediots had run out of their silly tin planes! Don't they know that it is foolish to attack the Legendary DON KARRRNAGE? - But the Pirate Captain looked at the sky and indeed saw many planes coming toward them. - ALL MEN TO THE CANONS! - He commanded while he raised his cutlass - BRING THEM ALL DOWN!
And the pirates hurried to the cannons on the deck and started firing at t the small squad.
-Fireworks started! It's our cue! - The big gray pilot flying the Sea Duck yelled as he fell behind, letting the other planes pass him and come closer to the battleship while he approached the ocean.
At that moment, Kit let go of the rope and using his unique skill, he glided toward the deck of the Valiant. But just before he landed, a pirate came running from below the deck and spotted him.
Not that it did him any good. Kit did not slow down and landed with his airfoil on the Pirate's face, knocking him cold, flipping in the air and landing on his feet while he folded his airfoil back and then slipped it inside his sweater. - Let's hope this works - Kit whispered as he took out one grenade and ran toward one of the cannon cabins.
In the skies, the cargo pilots were doing their best to dodge the cannon fire coming from the battleship. Two planes were grazed and had to turn around, while the others kept their diversion.
Close to the ocean, the Sea Duck was flying as low as Baloo could bring her. -Okay, I see Kit landed, Books! Yer turn!
The accountant gave a thumbs up and when Baloo did a close pass toward the battleship, Jon jumped off the open cargo hold, diving in the waters. He swam as fast as he could to get close to the hull of the huge battleship and, when he emerged, he took out the grappling hook and aimed at the starboard rail and fired.
On the deck, Kit, who had a wet towel around his face to protect from the gas, was putting the pirates to sleep. Two cannons were out of commission now and he was running toward the next.
- What eees going on here? Those silly planes are not firing, why?! - Don Karnage growled, and he pulled the binoculars Gibber had hanging from his neck, along with Gibber himself, and looked through them - But...those are not fighters...they are those worthless cargo pilots we attacked, yes-no? But what are they...non..NON! - he screamed as he finally spotted the familiar yellow cargo plane. - NON, NON, NON, They are NOT going to ruin my wondrous plan this time! WHY ARE YOU EEEDIOTS NOT FIRING! FIRE!
The pirates who were not sleeping in their cannon cabins kept firing at the incoming planes. The Sea Duck had joined them in the diversion, and dove toward the battleship in a corkscrew, narrowly avoiding the gunfire past her. Don Karnage saw her coming fast and gasped in horror as it seemed that the plane would kamikaze-crash against the ship. But from behind the yoke, Baloo just grinned and he pulled up in the last minute before hitting the vessel, making Rebecca and Louie scream.
- BALOO! - She gasped, her face still white - Do NOT do that again, please!
By now, Kit was about to throw another grenade inside a cabin...when something grabbed his arm.
- Hey, what are you doing here? - Mad Dog yelled as he grabbed the navigator's arm, a cutlass in his other hand ready to strike.
But before Kit could react, a hand came from below the ship's railing, grabbed the pirate by his vest and pulled him overboard, sending him into the ocean with a big splash.
- We're taking over the ship, you mind? - Jon said as the wet accountant pulled himself aboard the battleship while answering the dropped pirate's question.
Then a loud alarm came out all over the ship.
- They know it's a trap! - Kit screamed and then he looked from one side to the other, pulled out the grenade belts and gave them to Jon - Keep them busy here, I have an idea! - the bearcub said, opened one of the doors and closed behind him.
- Wait kid, what.. - was all the accountant could say before Kit disappeared...then he turned around and saw pirates rushing down from the bridge. - Aw, great...- and he quickly took off his wet shirt and wrapped around his head and started throwing grenades.
On the Iron Vulture, the radio crackled to life and Karnage's first mate, Will, answered.
- Will, bring the Iron Vulture around and tell those useless eeeediots on the ground to attack those silly cargo type people! They must NOT stop my wonderful plundering plan, yes-no? I will shoot them down and then I will hang them by their pinkies and torture each one of them with Turnips and Sandpaper!
The first mate quickly started calling all the pirates, while on the deck of the battleship, a panicked accountant tries to put pirates to sleep while staying alive running like crazy and hoping the smoke of the grenades can cover him enough.
But his luck runs out when pirates with gas masks start showing up. He keeps trying to evade them, running between the cannons, but on one turn, he slams against a mountain of a mutt known as Dumptruck.
- Hehehe...going somewhere? - The huge pirate grinned as he kicked the grenades belts out of reach and looked down at the golden brown bear laying on the deck.
- So it is YOU who attacked my wonderful person and my big boom-boom ship? - The Pirate Captain himself showed up growling, pushing aside his pirates and stopped to stand over the accountant.
- Attack? You mean this isn't a cruise ship? - the brown bear smiled a cheesy smile as he got back to his feet - Oh, my mistake! I got the wrong ticket! With your permission, I'll just go..whoa! -His attempt of exit was quickly stopped by Karnage's cutless pointed close to his neck.
- Do NOT try to be funny with me, boy! I see you are really part of that annoying group of stupid cargo-type people, yes-no? SO, I'm going to give YOU the same I will give THEM! Men, tie him to the end barrel of a cannon and fire him to little bitsy pieces!
- Psst! Hey Karnage! I wouldn't do that if I were you! - the known voice of the young navigator was heard behind them, and all turned to see Kit standing on the deck by one of the cannons.
- Aha! So, I KNEW this book worm wasn't alone, sí? You little traitor had to be around here, somewhere! - Karnage snarled - But tell me, boy...what should the greeeat Don Karrrrnage fear, now that I have you two right in my grasp?
- Hum...aw, I don't know...but these guys want to talk with you... - Kit pointed behind the cannon and then...all the sailors from the U.S.S. Valiant started walking around, swords and guns in hand, and looking very...very angry. Specially their lion Captain.
Karnage's look turned to surprise and then fear - Weeeell, well...I am very sure that, we can solve this in a simple way, yes-no? Something like...MEN, RETREAT! FIGHT FOR YOUR CAPTAIN AS I ESCAPE, SÍ? - The wolfish Air Pirate screamed as he jumped over the railing and into the waters.
At the same time, the crew from the U.S.S. Valiant attacked but the pirates were not up for a fight and quickly dove after their Captain in retreat.
By now, the Iron Vulture was approaching the battleship and the pirates in the fighters spotted their colleagues and their Captain jumping in the water and so they landed their planes on the ocean to pick them up.
- To the cannons men! - The lion Captain bellowed - Shoot down that Pirate monstrosity!
And the trained crew quickly took over the artillery's controls and the Iron Vulture was received with a salvo of gunfire.
Will, the first mate, watched in horror as parts of the huge airship were being blown away and smoke started coming out. He quickly turned the ship around toward the ocean as more hits would blow against the hull.
Just a moment later, a certain Air Pirate Captain, dripping wet, stepped on the bridge and yelled - What are you doing, you eeediot?! - and he shoved his first mate aside - Full power ahead! Retreat! Get us out of here, sí?
And as the first rays of dawn started coming out, the crew of the U.S.S. Valiant, along with a certain young navigator and an accountant, celebrated the sight of a smoking, limping Iron Vulture flying away, defeated.
- So, when you went away, you were going to find all the sailors? - Jon asked Kit.
- Yes! - the bearcub grinned - I set a route from Louie's to here so that we would fly over where the Valiant was when the pirates boarded it! I saw no rowboats or anything so I took a chance that Karnage would lock the sailors in the brig! Making them prisoners in their own brig...I knew he would love the irony of that!
Around the ship, the cargo planes who valiantly served as distraction for the sneaky attack were landing on the surrounding waters.
- Those are the pilots I told you about, Sir! - Kit told the lion Captain.
- Bring them all aboard if they wish...they are all welcome - the old lion smiled. And, sure enough, the first ones aboard where Baloo and Rebecca, who came running at Kit and sandwiched him in the biggest hug ever.
- Aw, Lil' Britches, kiddo...you're one of a kind! - the gray bear grinned.
- Oh, Kit...that was so VERY risky! I'm so glad you are not hurt! - The motherly Becky said as she hugged the navigator, making him blush.
- He was great - Jon said smiling and putting his shirt back on - To free the sailors was spot on, and he WHOOF! - the accountant gasped as the gray bear now gave HIM a bearhug.
- You're ok with me, Books! - Baloo boomed - Flew in the Duck, went to Louie's, got kidnapped by pirates and made fools outta them! Now you're really part of the crew! - the big bear grinned.
Jon simply smiled as he was put down - Thanks guys...I'm glad I could help.
Rebecca then approached gave him his jacket back and put a hand on his shoulder - And we are glad to have you. Thanks for watching out after Kit - and she gave him a kiss on the cheek and then went to join everyone else who was climbing aboard to celebrate.
And this was Jon's time to blush.
In the streets of Cape Suzette, citizens where coming out with the new dawning day and soon the radios crackled to life, this time with the voice of the Captain of U.S.S. Valiant
- This is Captain Ramirez, of the Battleship Valiant. The pirates were defeated and our ship is back under our command. You are all safe. I repeat. The Pirate threat is over. We have won.
And with that, cheering exploded throughout the streets.
And inside a small business by the docks, a cute yellow bearcub girl sat with her friend, a lion mechanic.
- WildCat...do you think mom will be back? - she whispered, hugging her doll Lucy tight.
- Well, Molly, I guess...- he started and then he grinned at the sight of a familiar yellow plane approaching, from the co-pilot window, Rebecca waving down at them - I guess you could ask her!
When the plane came to a stop, Rebecca rushed out to meet her daughter, who came running and jumped in her mother's arms.
- Ah, home sweet home - the pilot bear said as he stepped out of the Sea Duck.
- And...- Rebecca turned around with Molly in her arms and yawned a bit - since we had no rest...I guess...hum...there would be no harm taking the day off today, Baloo...
The big bear's eyes widened - You're serious? Aw, Beckers, you're the best! - he hugged his boss and her daughter, sweeping them both off their feet. - C'mon kiddo...after a power nap, we can go fishing and then to Louie's. You coming Books?
Jon yawned - Sorry, big guy...but had all the action today that I'll ever need for a while...I'm going home and hit the bed...see you guys on Monday...- he smiled and walked to his motorcycle. It came to life with a roar and soon the accountant was speeding off.
- How about you, Beckers? - Baloo asked.
- Sorry Baloo..but been away from this little one for too long - she smiled and kissed her daughter - but you boys have fun.
- Okay, kiddo, you and me then...whatthe...- he blinked as Kit had fallen asleep on top of a crate. Baloo smiled, picked him up and walked toward the building - I guess after a LONG nap...
- Epilogue -
- Shere Khan's office -
The tycoon tiger watched through the huge windows below as the city fires were put down and order resumed. Behind him, a new desk had been just delivered and installed, and the hired muscle - two gorillas, were leaving through the elevator as a slender figure nearly got bumped by them.
The figure approached the desk. - Mr. Khan?
The tiger turned around and looked at the rat dressed in a trench coat and a fedora standing before him. - Mr. Jones. Do you have any news for me?
- Yes Sir. - the rat said - I am sorry I couldn't come earlier but with all that happened in the city, I had to find shelter. But here it is - and he placed a manila envelope on the tiger's desk. - He is back in Cape Suzette, Sir...and working at a small business at the docks.
Khan opened the envelope and gazed down at its contents, a hint of a smile on his stone-like face. - Interesting... Does he have the blueprints?
- I sneaked in his home and searched, Sir, but could not find any. If he does, it's well hidden - the rat said.
Khan frowned a bit. - Keep me informed of his whereabouts, Mr. Jones. - he then swiveled the chair to look at the great windows.
- The time is coming for us to meet, boy. - a predatory smile in the tiger's face.