by Chris Ryan
* * *
Li saw Paulo and the others coming through the lounge towards the French windows. It wasn't a moment too soon. The guys were tiring of her lectures and she was preparing to change the subject to keep them there longer.
'Well, guys, we'd better be off,' said Toby. 'We'll leave you with Nelly the elephant here—'
'Moya,' interrupted Li. 'Her name's Moya.' It was probably an irritating thing to say, but she had to admit she enjoyed annoying them.
'Yeah –Moya.' Toby's voice was curt. 'We'll see you in the morning.' He led the way and the others followed him towards the muted lights of the lounge.
Paulo came out with Amber, Alex and Hex. 'How's it going?'
'I've just been doing my best to make them feel horribly guilty about shooting lovely furry creatures and big grey things with trunks. I think they'll probably avoid me now.'
'Well, they won't be able to shoot anything,' grinned Alex. 'That gun must have cost about four thousand pounds, but it's no more use now than a walking stick.'
'I wish I could see their faces when they test fire their weapons and realize their expensive toys are broken. That should put an end to their little expedition,' said Li.
Paulo was still concerned about her – she had looked terrible earlier. Should he try to get her on her own to ask about it? Not right now – it would be obvious to the others.
Amber suddenly remembered: 'Oh, we heard some news about Tessa.'
Li, Paulo and Alex caught the sadness in her voice.
'What is it?' asked Li quickly.
'Not brilliant,' said Amber. 'They might have to amputate her leg.'
Paulo and Alex were silent. Li said slowly, 'That's one of the worst things I can imagine.'
Moya wandered over to her water trough and dipped her trunk in. She made wet snuffling noises. She tried to suck, but blew instead, sending spray all over her head. She had another try. She put her entire head in, sending a wave of water crashing out over the side and onto her feet. She leaped backwards, hooting in surprise, then went forwards and did it again. This time she stood there as the water slopped over her.
'What on earth is that elephant trying to do?' said Alex. 'Drown herself?'
'She hasn't yet learned how to siphon water up into her trunk,' said Paulo.
Moya now had her mouth in the water and was lapping it up with her tongue. Her trunk was held straight up, like an aerial, the tips of it pinching together as she swallowed.
'Ah, bless,' said Amber. 'Do you think she looks any better?'
Paulo tried to look at Moya's shape critically. Was she looking any less bony, any less bloated around the stomach? 'It's impossible to say,' he decided.
'How many people and animals must suffer because of these poachers?' said Amber angrily. 'Look at Tessa, look at Moya. You know what, guys, if we could get these poachers we could make a real difference. I think we've found ourselves a mission. When Patrick and Gaston send us out tomorrow, let's look for ways to stop this carnage. What do you reckon?'
'Absolutely,' said Paulo.
'Agreed,' echoed Alex and Hex.
'A thousand times yes,' added Li.
'Right,' said Amber. 'We do it for Joe, for Tessa and for Moya.'
15
THUNDERBIRD
'Gaston's going up in a balloon to monitor the tagged elephants. Normally I'd go with him, but I've got other business to attend to. Would anyone like to go up instead of me?'
Joe Chandler had found Alpha Force in the lounge having breakfast. He looked as though he hadn't slept much. The sun streamed in through the lounge windows and highlighted the lines on his face, making him look older than they remembered.
It was Paulo who replied first. 'We'd absolutely love to go up,' he said.
'Yes please,' chorused Alex, Amber and Hex.
Li stayed quiet.
Joe seemed surprised by their enthusiasm. A smile spread across his tired features. 'Good. He can take three passengers.'
Li immediately said that she didn't mind staying.
'I'll stay too and feed Moya. You can help me, Li,' Paulo said quickly.
'Fab,' said Li.
Joe frowned. He pulled a chair out from another table and sat down. 'You know, you don't have to do all this. You can relax in the pool if you want – well, not this morning as it's got some nasty cleaning chemicals in it which you wouldn't want to swallow. But Patrick can do Moya.'
'Joe, we're happy to,' Paulo said. 'In fact when we leave, you might have trouble stopping me smuggling Moya out.'
Everyone laughed, including Joe.
Amber voiced the question that was on everyone's mind: 'This other business – is it something to do with Tessa?'
'No, it's a guest problem.'
Right on cue, Toby, Ralph and Ben walked through the lounge, each carrying a large suitcase. Ralph carried the ruined gun in a canvas case over his shoulder. They nodded curtly to Alpha Force and made their way to the french windows.
'Are they leaving?' said Paulo. 'They only just got here.'
'They are leaving,' said Joe emphatically. 'I am personally taking them to the airport. See that rifle they've got? They went out with it last night to shoot an animal. We'd confiscated their ammunition but they'd hidden some in their rooms.'
'How did you find out?' said Amber. She tried her best to make the enquiry sound casual.
'Gaston found them this morning. Their gun jammed and a lion chased them up a tree.'
Alpha Force looked at one another in amazement. Li let out a snort of laughter before she had time to control herself.
Alex shook his head. 'Serves them right. I bet they were in a state when Gaston found them.'
Even Joe was smiling. 'Yeah,' he said triumphantly. 'He thought they were poachers and he nearly shot them.' He got up. 'Listen, guys, I'll see you later. I'm dropping in on Tess on the way back – I'll give her your love.'
They watched his big frame as he crossed the room. 'I don't believe it,' Alex whispered to the others. 'They didn't even test-fire the weapon before they went out.'
Toby's voice floated through the windows. 'You can't do this to us; we're paying guests.'
They heard Joe's assured tones: 'Yeah, well, we don't need guests like you.'
'My dad will sue you,' said Ben.
Joe was not put off his stride in the slightest. 'Yep, I rang him this morning and he threatened to sue the pants off me. So I said I'd call the police. Shooting protected species carries a prison sentence in this country. And African jails are not nice. I can still call the police if you prefer.'
Alpha Force listened, trying not to laugh out loud.
As Joe escorted the boys to the Range Rover, he showed no sign of letting them off easily. His voice floated back through the lounge. 'And do you know why we don't shoot our lions and tigers any more?'
Alex laughed. 'How long is the ride to the airport?'
'A couple of hours,' said Hex. 'I reckon by the time they get there they'll think an African jail is preferable.'
'Li, Paulo, are you sure you don't mind not coming?' said Amber. She, Hex and Alex were wearing helmets, ready for the balloon journey. Hex was already in the basket and Alex was on the ground. He helped Amber into the balloon and then hopped over the side. The balloon towered up into the sky, a vast sleeve of orange segmented with silver, the burner roaring below it.
'No, I'm fine,' said Li.
'Well, I'll swap with you next time,' said Amber.
Gaston, also wearing a helmet, was checking the guy ropes that tethered the balloon to the ground. Already the basket was straining at its moorings, drifting to and fro between the three ropes.
Li and Paulo steadied the ropes while Gaston climbed into the basket. Gaston looked up and checked the burner. 'OK, ground crew,' he said to Paulo and Li, 'you can untie the ropes.'
Paulo undid the first one and released it, leaving two securing the basket at opposite corners. He and Li took one rope each, untied them and stood holding them.
'Ready?' said Li.
Gaston made a last check of the balloon. 'Let us go.
'Three . . . two . . . one . . .' Paulo gave the countdown. He and Li released their ropes together. The balloon rose into the air.
'Hey, we're airborne,' whooped Amber. 'Up, up and away.'
Li and Paulo watched the balloon drift skywards.
'Come on,' said Li. 'Moya will be wanting her gallons of milk.'
Paulo thought Li looked tense as he followed her to the baby elephant's pen.
Before Li and Paulo had even set foot in the yard, they heard a trumpet of greeting. Moya stood at the fence, ears forward like tattered grey sails. As Li approached, the elephant reached towards her with the end of her trunk, the two fingers quivering. Li ducked, expecting a clout from a badly aimed appendage. 'Oh no you don't,' she laughed. Carefully, she put her hand on the end of the trunk. She didn't know if Moya would let her, but the elephant stood trustingly.
The skin was rough and wrinkled, like very old leather. Moya curled her trunk with pleasure and let Li stroke it gently. Li looked at her bony shoulders and puffy tummy and felt sad. This creature was so trusting, so sweet. Surely they could make her better?
Suddenly Moya gave a piercing hoot that left Li's ears ringing. She raced off towards the end of the pen, ears flapping in excitement. Paulo had brought out the crate of milk and was fitting a teat to the first bottle.
He laughed at the elephant as she charged over to him. 'Hey, good morning, little one.'
'Don't flatter yourself,' said Li, joining him by the crates. 'It's nothing but cupboard love.'
Paulo ducked out of the way as Moya curled her trunk towards the milk bottle. 'All right, all right,' he said, 'breakfast will be served in a minute.' Her reply was another ear-splitting hoot.
He aimed the bottle at her mouth. Her lips took hold firmly and she began drinking noisily.
Paulo noticed how Li's smile faded as the elephant settled into feeding. Under the surface, she was still far from happy.
'That balloon looked cool,' he said. 'Never mind; it'll be our turn tomorrow.' He watched her reaction.
Li was silent. For a moment Paulo thought she wasn't going to talk. When she spoke, she spat out the words. 'I am so pathetic.'
Paulo was shocked.
'I wanted to go up,' continued Li, 'but I didn't dare try. What if I'd had one of those funny turns in front of everyone else? Now it's not just a fear of heights. I'm afraid that I'll get afraid.'
Paulo let her talk. She was obviously finding it hard and if he said the wrong thing he might make her clam up again. Moya slurped the last of the bottle and he started her on the next one. She gurgled and flailed her trunk joyfully.
'Yesterday,' said Li, 'I went out to one of the hides. I decided I'd climb up and climb down again. Nothing heroic; just that. But of course when I got up there I couldn't get down. I was stuck up there for more than an hour.'
Paulo winced. ''Dios mio, Li, you could have hurt yourself.'
'It was really stupid, I guess. But I can't even get up a tree. Soon you're all going to have to sack me from Alpha Force.'
'Li, listen,' said Paulo. 'The next time you decide to test yourself, take me with you. Then you don't have to worry about getting stuck. I'll help you through this. It's temporary, I'm sure.'
Li's voice had sunk to a whisper. 'I still have dreams about Dina. Every night. I'm up there waiting to go and she's lying with her back broken, screaming. She was as expert as me and she got it wrong. I might get it wrong too.'
With his free arm, Paulo pulled her close.
Something hit Li on the shoulder. She whirled round.
Penelope and Brains, the mother and son, were using the tap, hosing water into their mouths. Thunderbird was looking straight at Li and Paulo. She shook her head, her ears flapping gently like the leaves of an enormous tropical plant, the sun punching through the two bullet holes. There was a hint of challenge in the elephant's eyes. She picked up a twig, curled her trunk around it and flipped it over to Li.
'She wants to play,' said Paulo, incredulous.
Li's eyes gleamed. 'All right, let's play.' She picked up the twig and tossed it back. The elephant picked it up and threw it again, her tail kinked out to one side.
Li exclaimed in delight. This wild animal was actually playing catch with her.
Then she was hit by two trunkfuls of water.
She shrieked and shook her head, her long black plait slapping from side to side like a wet paintbrush. 'Of all the sneaky things!' she spluttered. 'Thunderbird was distracting me so the others could ambush me!'
Paulo leaned on the fence and laughed.
At the tap, Penelope was refilling Brains's trunk.
Li picked up a bucket and vaulted over Moya's fence. It was more than a metre high but she managed it without a moment's thought. 'Right, this means war.'
She ran to Moya's trough, dipped the bucket in and chucked the contents at Penelope. The elephant shook her head and turned the tap off. Brains withdrew his trunk and levelled it at Paulo like the barrel of a gun and loosed the full load at him and Moya.
Moya reeled backwards, then decided she liked it. She closed her eyes and shook her head as the water streamed over her.
Paulo wiped his eyes. 'It's like a power shower. I hope they don't do that when they've got colds.'
'At least it's got all that milk off you,' said Li. She let Brains have another bucketful and looked for Thunderbird. But Thunderbird wasn't where she expected.
The elephant had moved away from the others, her ambushing role fulfilled, and was looking for other mischief. She had a definite purpose to her stride as she headed towards a double-thickness fence.
'Where's Thunderbird going?' said Li. 'What's over there?'
'Dios!' said Paulo. 'They've noticed the swimming pool.'
Li dropped the bucket and vaulted out of Moya's pen. 'Oh my God,' she said. 'The chemicals!'
16
TRAGEDY
There was a crash. Thunderbird stepped on the first fence and reduced it to matchwood. She bulldozed through the second without a pause.
Paulo dropped the milk bottle and gave chase.
Thunderbird walked up the grassy bank. Li ran after her. She was amazed at how long the animal's stride was. She looked like she was going for a gentle amble, but she really covered the ground quickly.
Li hurdled over the remains of the fence; then she had an idea. She stopped and picked up a piece of splintered wood from one of the destroyed fences and threw it at Thunderbird. Maybe she would stop for a rematch of their game.
The elephant didn't take any notice. She had spied a large body of water and was heading for that.
Paulo caught up with Li. 'She's determined,' panted Li. 'Do you think she'll come to any harm?'
'She can probably get in but she won't be able to get out. And I don't think the cleaning chemicals will do her any good if she drinks them. She might panic if she gets any in her eyes, particularly if she finds she can't get out.'
Ahead, Thunderbird towered above them, a black silhouette like the mouth of a huge tunnel. Her ears wafted serenely backwards and forwards, the bullet holes leaving an afterburn of bizarre streaks on their retinas.
'Anything you know about elephants would be really useful right now,' said Li.
'I know some jokes,' said Paulo. 'Uh-oh, here come the others.'
Brains and Penelope were making for the hole in the fence with a springy, eager stride.
'We can't block it off, they'll just knock it down,' said Paulo.
'Now all we need is for Moya to break out too.'
'Moya!' said Paulo. 'That's it! I'll be right back. See if you can stop Thunderbird before she goes for a swim.'
'Brilliant,' said Li as Paulo hared away to the yard. 'How exactly?'
She turned round. Thunderbird was on the pool terrace. She stood on a sun lounger and the metal buckled like wire. Brains and Penelope trotted up the slope, wanting only to join Thunderb
ird.
Li raced to the edge of the pool. Thunderbird was about two metres from the edge. She stopped, the end of her trunk pinching together as she analysed a smell. Was she getting an astringent waft of chlorinated water? Surely it must smell highly unnatural. But she didn't seem put off; she merely carried on sniffing. Li picked up a sun visor that had been left on one of the poolside chairs and threw it at Thunderbird, trying to distract her. The visor skittered round Thunderbird's feet. The elephant looked down and curled her trunk at it, still sniffing, but then went back to probing the water in front of her.
Brains appeared behind her. For a moment Li thought he was about to put his shoulder to Thunderbird's rump and pitch her into the water. But he didn't. Interesting, thought Li. So he and Penelope won't take the initiative – they follow Thunderbird. Typical of herd animals. The other two might not be a problem if they could get Thunderbird back.
Paulo came hurtling out of the poolside doors. He'd gone through the lobby so as not to run up behind the elephants and startle them. In his hands were two of Moya's bottles of milk. One was fitted with a teat.
Thunderbird put her trunk in the pool and splashed it around.
'Quick, Paulo,' cried Li. 'She's going to get in.'
Li knew she had to stop the elephant stepping forwards any further. She had an idea, but it was risky. It might encourage Thunderbird instead of putting her off. Or, even worse, it might provoke her to attack.
Li dived in and swam under the water like a torpedo, surfacing by Thunderbird's probing trunk. She had kept her eyes closed but the water ran down off her forehead and stung. She grasped the end of Thunderbird's trunk and pulled very, very hard.
Thunderbird careered backwards immediately, trumpeting and sending up a spray of water. She yanked Li out of the water. Li, amazed, let go and narrowly missed being gored by a tusk. As she fell back down she hoped she was over water. She hit the surface of the pool with a loud splash, and swam away in case the elephant decided to pursue her. When she got to the other end of the pool she turned and stood in the shallows. The elephant snorted, her ears flapped angrily. Brains and Penelope stood behind her, watching uncertainly.