by Chris Hechtl
“I don't know,” he said. Bagheera and the other crew members met them at the hatch. “But we'll get her back. I promise.”
“Skipper, radio, someone's on it, said something about the girl,” Mowgli said, coming in at a run.
“I'll just bet they will. I'm going to tear them apart,” Baloo growled, fully angered. Mowgli's black eyes went wide in surprise. He'd only seen Baloo like that a few times, each time while protecting the Duck or the crew.
Baloo stalked to the bridge and hit his head on the hatch coming. He swore, rubbed the growing knot there, then ducked in and sat in his chair. “This is Baloo. You the ones who took my cub?” he snarled.
“Easy now,” the snarky voice said. “Easy. Power down flyboy. We'll give you a chance to get the cub back. Tell you what, an even trade. Her for the boy.”
“Boy? Mowgli?”
“Not him, the bear.”
“Kit? What do you want with him?” he demanded, turning to see Kit there, standing against the hatchway. Kit bit his lip, ears flat. Rebecca was behind him.
“Not much, we just want to…talk with him. Yeah, that's it, just a little chat. Friendly chat. His friends miss him,” the voice said, making some odd emphasis on certain words. The tone was weird.
“Why not just come up and talk? Why the drama?” Baloo asked, turning the radio knobs to try to get a fix on the transmission. They were close, from the sound of it still within a few kilometers.
“Sometimes we have to get someone's attention.”
“And what will you do with him after your talk? Will we get him back? They are just cubs, man, just cubs,” he growled.
“I really can't say,” the voice said.
“Then no deal.”
“You'll never see her again,” the voice warned.
“You harm a hair on that cub’s head, and I'll find you. You and anyone associated with you,” the bear growled, nearly crushing the radio mike. “I've got your scent now you pervert. I don't know what you do with kids, but trust me, when I'm through with you, you'll wish you'd never been born. You messed with the wrong bear!” he roared.
“Temper, temper,” the voice said, trying to sound light but a little shaken. “Can he do that?” the voice asked someone else. “He can? Shit.”
“That's right, I can,” Baloo snarled. “Give us back the girl.”
“Keep the fuzz out of it, Flyboy. We'll be in touch when you've cooled off and had some time to think it over,” the kidnapper said. The transmission ended.
Baloo snarled, unable to get a better fix. “I've got a heading but that's it. Nothing for triangulation. And they could be calling from a vehicle,” he growled. “Damn it!” he said, pounding the yoke.
“What are we going to do, papa bear?” Kit asked in a small voice. His ears were flat, hat in his hands.
The bear eyed him. “We're not turning you over to them if that's what you're asking.
“Baloo, Becky, there are some cops here,” Mowgli said pointing to the hatch.
“Just what we need, Keystone cops,” the bear growled, getting up. He shooed everyone out.
<-----/^----->
They told their story to the deputies several times. “So, to be clear, they want the boy?” the deputy asked, looking at the cub.
“Yes, and if you head in that direction,” Baloo said, using his arm to point north by northwest, they are along that heading, about ten or so kilometers out.”
“You are sure?”
“I used the radio to get a fix. I don't have a separate receiver so I couldn't triangulate.”
“Ah, I see. Pity.”
“I don't mean to tell you your job…”
“Then don't.”
“Fine then, work with us here,” Baloo growled. Rebecca tucked her hand into his great paw. She looked at him with great soulful eyes. It just about tore his heart out to see her that torn up.
“Does she still have the bear?” a familiar voice asked softly. They turned to see Wildcat holding a wrench, looking at them from the open hatch into engineering.
“The bear?”
“Yes, the bear. Does she still have it?” Wildcat asked, ears perked. The deputy stared at him.
“Why? What has this have to do with anything?” Rebecca screamed, lashing out. Baloo tucked her into his arms to console her.
“I stuck a tracking device in the bear,” the cougar said as he retreated, ears flat. The bears looked up in surprise, then blossoming hope. “Frequency five four three point nine, Baloo,” the cat said from down the corridor.
“Thank you, Wildcat!” Baloo said. “Hot diggity little britches, let's get on this!” he said, rushing for the cockpit. Kit followed.
<-----/^----->
“Miss Cunningham, I believe you were supposed to have taken off an hour ago. At this rate you will have not met the window to Perham. I am most disappointed…”
Rebecca scowled. She had to take the call, but she was furious over the content.
“Now, don't misunderstand me, a crisis is a problem, but we do have protocol and a schedule to keep. My shipment simply must make it to the market on time.”
“I'm sorry, sir, but some things are more important.”
“More important than a steady contract? More important than a black mark on your record?”
“Hang my record! This is my daughter's life we're talking about! Some things are just…you know what…” she stabbed the off button before she could say anything she'd truly regret. Then she sat hard, sobbing.
“We'll get her back, Becky,” Baloo said, leaning into the wardroom. She fought the urge to look up, to beg him if it would be all right. She knew his answer, knew his reassurance would make her feel a little better, but not enough, nothing would help until her daughter was safe in her arms once more. “Now get to the cargo deck. And remember to strap a safety belt on. Things are going to get hairy and windy,” he said.
She looked up but he was gone. She got up, dried her tears on her sleeves then went to the cargo deck. She had a job to do, help save her daughter.
<-----/^----->
Baloo pulled the Duck up in a climb, ignoring the angry shouts on the radio from the tower. He homed in on the radio signal and then called to the others.
“If we're going to pull this off, you better be on the ball little britches!” he said, reaching up to pull the turbines back. The Duck's jets were near stall, she had a hell of a time sustaining this slow speed in the thick fog.
“We've got a fix!” Rebecca called exultantly. “She's down there! Along the shore of that lake!”
<-----/^----->
“What the heck is that?” a pirate demanded, looking up. The evening fog had rolled in with a vengeance. He hated it, hated not being able to see. “Let's get this over with. Hook up the chains.”
“Gee, are you sure about this?”
“Yes I am! Now get with it! No witnesses! They aren't going to play ball so we'll clear out! That damn bear meant business!” he snarled. “So we'll teach him a lesson and let him know we mean business too!”
“But…” The big thug looked at the tiny girl. He held the club up. “I can't do it,” he said. “I just can't,” he said, resting the club on his shoulder.
“You thick witted fool!”
“It's the eyes I'm telling you! The puppy eyes!”
“And you like killing puppies right?”
“Not while they are looking at me that way!” the other thug said.
“So? Put the bag on her!” the leader said in exasperation. “Must I do everything myself?” he demanded, snatching the crying cub up. “Stop your belly aching kid; it'll be over soon! Geesh! We're doing the whole world a favor putting this one out of our misery!” he said. He heard a thrum of engines and looked up. “What's that?” he asked.
“Sounds like a water plane. You know, the ones that land to get water to fight fires?”
“Is there a fire around?” the leader asked. The big thug shrugged. “Well? Don't just stand there; go check
the TV!” he snarled. He turned, dangling the cub over the water. She was in a fetal ball as he held her by the scruff of her neck. Somehow she had kept her tiny bear in all the confusion. “Bye kid. I'd say it's been fun but it hasn't been. No hard feelings and all that,” he said, holding the chain up.
Molly saw the chain, saw how it was linked to a concrete block and then blubbered. That's when she heard a splash.
<-----/^----->
Kit dropped behind the Duck and water-skied behind the craft on his airfoil model. The distraction of the Duck flying so low in the fog gave the cub the opportunity to grab Molly right out of her captor's arms. “I gotcha, Molly,” he said as she hugged him tight.
“Oh, Molly!” Rebecca said, voice dripping with anxiety and turmoil. She clutched at her daughter, holding her when they reeled her in.
“I'm okay, Mommy,” the little cub said, “That was fun, Kit!” she said. Kit gave her a thumbs-up. Molly turned and then teared up at her mom's emotional turmoil. She hugged her mother as her mother hugged her. Her thumb popped into her mouth.
“You are okay, little one?” Baloo asked, ruffling her hair. She wrapped her hands around him. He pulled her to his chest. “Scared me you did. Let's be more careful, okay?” he asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Uh huh.”
“And no more talking to strangers. Don't take any candy, don't get a ride from them, and definitely don't get within arm's reach, cub.”
“Definitely, papa bear,” she murmured. Rebecca smiled, stroking her daughter's hair. Molly turned and pulled her towards him. Baloo was confused until Rebecca wrapped an arm around him.
“Don't get any ideas, Flyboy,” Rebecca growled.
“I wouldn't dream of it,” he said. He pulled Kit close and cuddled for a while.
<-----/^----->
The authorities arrived in force, swarming the dock once they returned. They broke down, and they told their story as Doctor Ara took a look at Molly. The deputy wasn't amused, but he was glad that the cub had been rescued safe and sound. “But just to be sure…” he warned.
“I know, you can't be everywhere. I suggest you check that lake out. And we'll be out of your hair soon enough. Well, just as soon as we deal with the fines and such that the tower is threatening us with.”
“That's what you get for going off and playing hero, Baloo, you of all people know that. Nice guys finish last.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Rebecca demanded.
“Baloo here has done his share of hero work, saving people and such. He's usually come up a cropper each time, either getting in trouble, fined, or both. Or getting sued for damages even though he saved someone's life.”
“Ungrateful bastards,” Kit muttered. The adults shot him a look. He hunched over, head down.
“I'll agree with the kid in this instance. But yeah, it is one of the reasons Baloo has had so much trouble. A good heart but…”
“Not a head for business,” Rebecca said turning to Baloo. She reached out and surprised him by hugging him. “In this instance, I'm with him. A big heart,” she said hugging him until he gasped.
“Yeah, um right, since we've got everything, we'll be going,” the deputy said. He showed himself out.
When they were sure the cops were gone, Baloo turned on a certain bear. It was time to set the record straight. He was proud of the cub for the rescue, but if he'd played straight with them, maybe it wouldn't have been needed. An old military guy had said something to that effect; hero's came about when someone somewhere made an avoidable mistake.
“Okay, little britches,” Baloo said, picking up Kit and setting him down a little roughly on top of the table. “Out with it. I know you know something. You know, we know, you know something. So let's stop beating around the bush and get to the point. Enough is enough. Why does Khan, Don Quixote Kar'nage, and the whole blasted universe want little you?” he asked.
“I…” Kit frowned, taking his hat off and working the brim nervously.
“Out with it, Kit,” Rebecca said. “You owe me that much.”
“I'm sorry, I really am. I never thought it'd come to this. I didn't think they'd find me.”
“But they did. And they want something. Something you have,” the bear rumbled. “Do I have to hang you by your ankles and shake you to find it?” he demanded, eying the little bear.
“No, no,” the bear said, hands out. All the cubs liked doing that; it was fun. But clearly Baloo wasn't in the mood for fun, so he'd better come clean.
“I…I lied. I got caught. The pirates put me to work. As you know, I'm a good navigator. But I'm also a good radio person. I ran the radio room when I wasn't on call as a navigator. I…heard some stuff. I recorded it.”
“Recorded it. What sort of stuff?” the bear asked, crossing his arms. Rebecca echoed his posture.
Kit's ears went flatter. He ducked his gaze. “I…heard stuff between Khan and the pirates. I…sort of recorded it. When Don found out, he said he'd kill me, which was why I ran.”
“Right.”
“No, he's probably telling the truth,” Baloo said.
“Please don't hate me, papa bear,” Kit said, practically crying.
“Easy Kit. No one hates you for doing what you needed to do to survive. You got greedy though, and it came back and bit you in the ass. Damn near took a chunk out of the rest of us too for that matter, so we'd better sort it out fast. I have a bad feeling things are getting ugly. I've got that itch that a blow is coming, a bad one.” He looked away. “Let's see it.”
“It's a bargaining chip. The only one I had.” Kit said, putting his hat back on. He pulled it out of his sweater pocket and held it up. His little hand shook. Baloo slowly took it.
“And you didn't think for one minute they wouldn't come after you, cub?” Baloo demanded, growling. For once he was angry with the cub. Kit's ears went flat, his eyes wide. He took his hat off again and held it in front of his chest.
“I'm sorry, papa bear; I really am,” Kit said, near tears. He snuffled, rubbing at his nose. He so wanted Baloo's approval, having him mad at him hurt in so many ways.
“Kit…” Baloo sighed and flopped down into a chair, arm over his eyes.
“So what do we do, Baloo? Take it to the media?” Rebecca demanded. He shook his head. “Why not?” She frowned. “Oh, he owns the media,” she sighed, now frustrated herself.
Kit wanted blackmail; he wanted money out of Khan. “We can share it!” he insisted.
Baloo shook his head. He talked the little bear out of it. “Look kid, trust me, that's a horrible idea. The last thing you ever want to do is pull that tiger's tail. He will come after you. He'll haunt you until you are space dust. If you think the pirates are bad…Khan's got a lot of resources, both mercs and in the government. They can track you anywhere, anytime.”
“Oh,” the cub said in a small, now terrified voice.
“Yeah. So, we need to talk. Make it clear we're not threatening him in anyway.”
“What about the police?”
Baloo snorted. “Here? He owns the cops. Just, look, just follow my lead, okay?”
“Okay.”
“So what do we do?”
“I call an old friend and set up a meet.”
<-----/^----->
Baloo called Khan. They met on Khan's flagship in orbit of Cape Suzette. Khan's flagship was a converted cruiser. It had been replenished in Khan Livery, but its hard lines spoke of lethal predatory might. It was clearly a statement. Khan also had his own private navy. A small one, but a well-armed one.
Khan sat behind his ornate wooden desk in a massive high back chair. The blue suit he wore probably cost more than the Space Duck. Khan is indeed old; his muzzle is white much like Baloo's. He had eye rings in his eyes, whitish gray rings around his iris that clearly said he was old. He still had a tiger's physic though. He flexed his massive paws. And claws, and teeth, Rebecca realized.
“So, Baloo, you never write, you rarely call, what is on
the agenda?” the tiger asked, clearly amused by the situation.
“First things first, some introductions,” Baloo said. “Manners after all,” he said, winking to Rebecca who smiled slightly. He introduced Rebecca Cunningham, his new boss. Along with Kit Cloudkicker, his navigator and protégée.
“A pleasure I'm sure,” the tiger drawled.
Baloo tweaked Khan about his bank selling the note after receiving Baloo's payment and after promising Baloo they never would. “I think a vice president did that. If you want I'll fire them,” the tiger said.
“Nah, this is better. Becky here is a far better business person then I ever was. I just want to fly.” Rebecca looked up at Baloo. He shrugged. She shook her head and refocused on Khan. He really was a massive Hindu tiger in their midst. A predator that could probably go toe-to-toe with Baloo. One who probably had an army of predators in better shape than Baloo on the other side of the hatch.
“That's true, Baloo. So, how can I help you?” Khan asked pointedly. He didn't look at the cub. “Another loan perhaps?”
“No, Khany baby, no strings. We're here to turn over something that belongs to you. The deal is—we hand it over to you; we walk. I haven't listened to it; I don't ever want to listen to it. I know, I remember what you said, business is business.”
“I see,” the tiger rumbled. “And what do you want in return?” the tiger asked. There was ever a slight hint of a growl of warning in his tone. A human might have felt it. To the Neos it was obvious; the tiger was not happy about the situation. Kit gulped. The tiger turned slightly away as Baloo set the crystal on the tiger's desk and then stepped back. Kit opened his mouth, but Baloo waved him off.
“Nothing here, baby, you know me,” Baloo said, hands spread in supplication. “I like smooth sailing; I want a return to that. I'd ask for a maintenance run on the Duck but Becky took care of that already.” He frowned thoughtfully for a moment, rubbing his chin and looking away. “Okay, one thing,” he held up a finger. The tiger raised an eyebrow as he picked up the cube. “No more crap with the pirates. Oh, and call off the dogs. Leave the cubs alone. We're not interested in playing in your circles; we know we're out of your league. We're perfectly fine staying in our own pond. We square?” He turned to look the tiger in the eye.