CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Will I get a weapon?” asked Blake staring at Trak, Gaspar, and Luke.
“Do you know how to use one?” asked Luke.
“I’ve used a knife, or I guess a scalpel really, when operating on animals.
I never used a blade to harm anyone but I think I can figure that out.
” Luke nodded at Trak who handed her a small blade inside a leather holder.
She opened her belt and slide the leather holder through, securing it to her waist.
“At no time will you be without us,” said Gaspar. “You will follow our orders, do as we say, and never, ever stand in front of us.”
“I understand,” she nodded. “We just want to get the animals to the water, right?”
“Yes. We will have others there to bring them on board and transport them to where they should be. If they belong in the jungle, we allow them to stay in the jungle if that’s what they want.”
“Okay, but I saw the list of potential animals. A rhino, badgers, wolverines, those aren’t meant for the jungle. They could die there,” she said.
“Animals are resilient creatures. They may very well survive and thrive but we listen to the animals, Blake. We can all hear them, speak to them. Let them tell us what they want.”
“They’re going to be hungry,” she said with a frown. “I’m worried that no matter how good we are at explaining the situation to them, their own needs will take hold. We could become dinner for them.”
“We’re going to have food for them. It won’t be enough but hopefully it will show that we mean well and don’t want to harm them,” said Gaspar. “We’re hoping with Alvin, Hank, and Oscar, we will have the advantage.”
“I hope this works,” she said frowning. “Those poor creatures have got to be terrified. They’re so much smarter than we give them credit. They sense things, see things that people don’t understand.”
“Then we’ll pray that they’re on our side,” said Luke.
“Let’s get you familiar with the equipment.
Your communications device is already on and ready.
Tanner or Hiro will ensure that it’s in the on position the entire time.
They’ll hear things around you that you might not hear or suspect is important.
If you’re in trouble, press that button on the back of your necklace. ”
“Got it,” she nodded.
“The stealth suits are a remarkable technology that allow us to remain invisible but not silent. You need to remember that. They won’t see you but they will hear you if you speak,” said Gaspar.
“What if I’m in trouble? How do I communicate if I’m surrounded?”
“You tap the communication device at the back of your ear three times. Gently. It comes across like the sound of a drum to the boys back home. Three times is ‘I’m in danger’, two times is “danger is ahead’, and one time is a response to them that tells them you’re okay.”
“Sounds simple,” she nodded, “but I suspect it’s a lot more complicated than you’re letting on.”
“The technology is complicated but you don’t have to understand the technology. You just have to know how to use it,” said Trak.
“But you won’t leave me, right? None of you will leave me?”
“No, honey. We wouldn’t dare,” smiled Luke. “I’d rather not piss off Zane. He seems to be getting bigger by the day.”
“I think it’s all the cooking,” she said grinning. Zane was seated at the front of the Osprey with several other team members. There were three birds headed down and all three were loaded to the gills.
“On second thought,” she said frowning. “I don’t think it is all the good food. He’s developed a lot of muscle just since I’ve known him. How is that possible? How can you get muscle definition that quickly?”
Gaspar, Luke, and Trak smirked at the young woman as Mama Irene appeared in a mist in the bird. She was enjoying her new abilities that allowed her to appear anywhere.
“Come with me, honey. I’m going to give you a history lesson of Belle Fleur,” she smiled.
They watched as Mama Irene took her hand, leading her to the back of the Osprey.
For more than hour she told tales of Belle Fleur, explained the magic, or at least some of it, and finally kissed her cheek as she fell asleep.
“She’s fine now,” smiled Irene.
“Mama, you didn’t give her too much information did you? Something like that could scare a girl off,” grinned Gaspar.
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous! She’s a smart girl and her love and concern for them animals is only beat by her love for Zane. I’ll go in first and speak to the animals along with Trak, Alvin and the dragons.”
“That seems smart,” nodded Luke. “Once you tell us it’s okay, we’ll get the doors open and get them to where they need to be, or at least to where they want to be.”
“Them babies are scared, Gaspar. Wipe that frown off your face,” said his mother as she disappeared.
“Great. For the first time in my life I’m getting battle advice from my mother on the battlefield. I really have gone mad.”
“If you have, then we all have,” smirked Luke. “Do you ever wonder if we’re a part of all this magic? If there’s not something beyond the pond, beyond the land, that makes all this possible?”
“All the time,” said Trak. “And then I realize what a gift it is I’ve been given. Don’t question gifts. It’s bad luck.”
He closed his eyes, lying back in the seat to sleep. At his feet were Alvin, Oscar, and Hank, also sound asleep with a horrifyingly loud snore. Luke chuckled and shook his head looking at his father.
“Well, at least it’s just grandma that’s here. We could have Ruby, grandpa, and the others as well,” he laughed. And as each passed he heard the laughter.
“And what makes you think we’re not.”