KC Frantzen - May the K9 Spy 03 - May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino (2 page)

Chapter 3

I
leap onto Limo Driver’s lap and we peel out towards the house, spraying gravel. He glances at me. “I’ve been updated. No time to spare.”

“Roger that,” I woof. “There they are!”

Dad and Mom wave from the porch, then I spy Mom answering her cell phone. Maybe it’s HQ. Dad’s holding Lobbie! My heart
thump thumps
. Hey, there’s Hans, bounding down the steps.

“AAAaaaaaAAAAOOOOOoooo!” Same ol’ Hans.

And… and… My bottom lip sticks out more than usual. Until this very moment I didn’t realize how much I missed them all, including my grouchy sister. I was ready for April to razz me about being a pest. She must be on patrol. Hope she isn’t far.

The driver lets me out then positions the vehicle, at the ready.

Dad jiggles Lobbie and grins. “May, look what I found.”

Mom
shhh
’s him then mouths,
I’m sorry.
Her voice trembles as she continues on the phone. “Spy stuff is new to us, Sandy. If you say so. Uhm hmm. Okay, I’ll tell him.”

Hans circles me and barks, “I want to hear everything!”

He slows, and we greet each other as is customary. Then I give him a little kiss. “Hey brother –
Thlpbt
– I will, but remember the shed? We all need to go there. Now.”

“All of us? But…” His whiskers drop. “April’s vanished, May.”

“Gone? For how long?”

“Two days. Dad and Mom searched and searched. I offered to help but they said no. April was getting a bath when the air conditioning repair man interrupted, and Mom forgot to put on her collar again.”

My heart goes
thump thump
as Tactical Tracking Level 1 lessons kick in. Did Rukan discover she’s in training with the K9 Spy Service and grab her? What are my knowns?

One, Rukan was nearby. He hates dogs. Two, my sister is missing. Recovery urgent. I snuffle the grass. Three, April’s scent for sure, and a man’s. Not Rukan’s. Four, there’s a countdown.

“Stand by.” I race up the steps, give each human a quick kiss then bark orders. “Hi Dad, hi Mom. I love you. Emergency! All of us must get to that shed I tried to show you before. No time to play with Lobbie, Dad. Quick! Get ready to leave. Hans and I are going to find April.”

I turn and start down the steps. Piffle. I’m being a bit bossy, better soften it. I woof, “Please hurry.”

Mom
shhh
’s me, then speaks into the phone once more. “Okay, Sandy. May’s here. We’ll let you know… Love you also. Bye.” She looks distressed as she disconnects. “Hi May, just a sec. Hon, should we have contacted Sandy about April? She said there’s an emergency, too. What if this is spy related?”

Motor still running, the vehicle door flings open and Limo Driver passes me, taking the steps two at a time. “Grab your ‘Go Bag’ and let’s roll.”

Mom grimaces. “Sandy mentioned our ‘Go Bag’ too.”

Dad looks upset. “We never put one together, did we?”

Limo Driver dials into his comm unit, then looks at them solemnly. “Grab important papers, medication, money, any personal items you
must
have. Electronics you don’t want fried. Don’t concern yourselves with rations. Fortunately where you’re going is stocked.”

Dad looks firm. “We’re not going without April.”

The driver sets a timer on his watch. “You have four minutes. Four. I’ll use it to coordinate with HQ.” He presses the comm unit to his ear and sprints down the steps.

Mom whines to Dad, “But Hon, our April.”

Limo Driver quickly covers his comm. “Ma’am, there’s a missile, armed with we don’t know what, launching from right there. We’ve got to stop it. In three minutes forty-two seconds, this vehicle leaves, with or without you. Decide.”

Dad looks at Mom and Mom looks at Dad for half a tail wag. They dart into the house.

At the bottom of the steps I tell Hans, “Let’s split up to find April. We’ll cover ground twice as fast.”

Hans stands taller. “I could check the barn.”

“Bark two longs and a short if you find something. Whatever happens, hurry. We can’t be late for our ride.”

“Will do.”

Must be calm and think. Hans mentioned the air conditioning man. Who is he really? In Tracking, Ms. Dutcher said to put myself “into the mind of the hunted.” April has a gift for separating good intruders from bad and would have investigated. So. Once Mom let her out, my sister would have maintained surveillance.

Let’s go.

Her trail leads me across the far side of the driveway to some oil splotches. Whose vehicle?

I follow a man’s trail beside the house and detect the place where April made herself comfortable awhile. But why? Maybe she watched him fix that grey whirring machine.

Ear flick. Dad and Mom lock the door, then dash to the limo.

I start to run. The two trails lead back to the tire scents, then cross to a less-than-human-size, bigger-than-doggie-size door near the steps. The man’s tracks lead out… but not April’s. What’s happened to my sister?

Chapter 4

I
rush to the limo. From the passenger seat, Dad gives me a look. “Come now, May.”

“But Dad…”

He switches to his strict voice. “Get in, May. I want to find April too, but we’ve already searched for two days and nights. Where’s Hans?”

I ignore him – in any other situation a very bad idea – and beg Limo Driver for the comm unit.

He checks his watch then clicks a control. Edgrr’s face appears on the screen.

“Status update, Agent… May? Where’s Doherty?”

“Sir. April AWOL – absent with out leave – no collar. Trespasser detected nearby about the same time.”

Hans rounds the corner and leaps onto the back seat near Mom just as Edgrr barks for Miss Sandy. She cuts in, “OSM. Priority one. Lead your family to safety. Immediately.”

I bark, “HUA Miss Sandy, but April’s missing!”

“Stand by.” In the background, Miss Sandy gives an order to locate April’s position.

I yip, “Collar unavailable. ‘Repairman’ in vicinity. Both tracks lead to small door. One set away.”

Dad groans. “Maybe April got locked in!” He charges out of the vehicle to the less-than-human-size, bigger-than-doggie-size door.

Limo Driver calls out, “Forty three seconds.”

When Dad heaves the door open, my sister slowly raises a paw, rises and wags her tail. She woofs, “I knew you would come. Thank you. I am a bit hungry.”

Dad helps my sister to the vehicle and gets in. Mom sobs, “April! Why didn’t you tell us where you were?”

After a sniff of the nearest tire, April jumps in too. Limo Driver shifts into gear and we take off. He activates the comm unit and increases the volume.

Miss Sandy appears agitated as she answers. “Lead Agent, Team Dog’s Nose Two. Status?”

Limo Driver says, “It’s Doherty Ma’am. The line is secure. Family accounted for. ETA – estimated time of arrival – twenty eight seconds.”

Her expression softens. “Outstanding. Agent Doherty, you received a briefing?”

I stare at Limo Driver. He’s an agent?

“Yes Ma’am. I’ll do my best.”

“Inform upon arrival. We shall do what we can from here.” The screen goes dark.

Dad burrows into my sister’s neck fur. “Apey… didn’t you hear us calling? Someday we’ll find only your skeleton, sitting with perfect posture.”

I woof a greeting too, but April doesn’t seem to notice. I bark louder.

She looks around and wags her tail. “Why is everyone staring? Oh hello, Pest. I followed the repairman inside to examine our defense protocols. He must not have known I was inspecting the far recesses when he exited.”

As we dodge a shrub, April seems perplexed. “Where are we going in such a hurry?”

I rest my paw on my sister’s back. “To the bunker under the shed. Rukan activated a missile that’s in countdown.”

She pulls back her lips and growls.

Mom murmurs, “Hon, I just hope we have everything we need.”

Dad strokes April, holding her close. “We’re together. We’ll be fine.”

Beep-beep.
Miss Sandy breaks in. “We are seeking a solution, but there may be fireworks over Tennessee.”

Dad leans forward and asks, “Why here? What will happen?”

Miss Sandy frowns. “Uncertain. We have just learned our system was hacked. May checked things for us, thank goodness, or we would not have known until it was too late. If this
is
an EMP and we cannot stop it or send it on another trajectory, much of the electrical grid in the United States will cease to exist.

“Plus, there may be weaponized bio-agents: smallpox, anthrax, plague, tularemia, hemorrhagic fever viruses, even Botulinum toxin, the single most poisonous substance known.”

Dad shakes his head as Mom whispers, “Hard to believe.”

Miss Sandy continues. “Many would die a horrible death, certainly within days or weeks, and have other significant long-term concerns, but Agent Doherty is taking you all to safety. Hey, Tyrone?” Miss Sandy’s eyes shine. “Appears it is up to you. Thank you. If I don’t see you here…”

Agent Doherty, our driver, responds, “Then I’ll see you there.”

That’s the K9 Spy Service saying at the start
and
end of a mission.

Miss Sandy signals someone out of view, then looks at us. “I shall try to make contact again, once you are inside. May will lead the way.”

She sounds proud, but a little down too.

Something’s niggling at me, but I shake it off and try to be hopeful. “At least I can finally show you the shed!”

Chapter 5

F
rom the edge of the woods, several deer appear nervous, watching our approach. Dad points. “Is that snake… signaling?”

I press my nose to the window. CHS! The Copperhead is directing our turn with his tail.

As we skid on the grass, Mom stares. “Well I never…”

A deeeep rumble from underground makes me uneasy. Crows fly straight at us through smoke billowing from the circular clearing.

Agent Doherty pushes a button on the dashboard.

Wonder of wonders. We speed straight for a concrete slab – a hidden elevator – now exposed under the rising landscape, then squeal to a stop. After pushing another button which starts our descent underground, he engages the comm unit. “Doherty here. The package arrived. Launch doors open, missile engaged. It’ll be close.”

Miss Sandy says, “Roger that. Good work. Reconfirm at phase two.”

Mom splutters, taps Dad’s arm and points to the shed, going out of sight as we drop into the dark. He rests his arm on Mom’s shoulder. “Babe, close your mouth.”

She shuts it with a pop, then shivers a wee bit. “I-I-I’ve never… What IS this place?”

Agent Doherty flips on a light, then kills the engine. “Ma’am, we’re going into a top-secret missile installation, updated from the Cold War era. From this centralized location, agents monitor events in the States and some international facilities. Because it’s fortified, it’s secure from nuclear attack.”

Mom says, “So
that’s
why we’re going so deep underground.”

“Ma’am, you have a friend in high places. You’re here without clearance. Your friend Sandy, Lead Agent TDN2, thought there was time to bring you while I was debriefed. Only moments ago, HQ confirmed her cover was compromised in Paris and that Rukan hacked her computer.”

This wouldn’t have happened if I’d listened. When will I learn?

The ground grumbles and shakes. Oh no! Did I ever tell them that Rukan’s been inside the bunker? What if it’s booby-trapped?

Dirt clods smack the windshield and roof. Hans moves April aside, jumps into Dad’s lap and shivers.

Agent Doherty speaks over the racket. “We did not detect the breach until Agent May checked and contacted HQ. Now an unauthorized missile has been activated. We’re unable to ascertain the warhead type until someone takes a look-see.”

Dad seems bleak. “We heard heavy machinery close by several weeks ago, but didn’t think much about it with the new home construction in the area.”

The agent nods. “Excellent use of cover. Rukan’s a bigger player than we realized, and has significant support. We’re monitoring chatter from known sleeper cells. He plans to activate several after the event.”

Mom replies, “Event?”

“We can’t make assumptions.” He opens his pack and shows us a world map. “It may be relatively contained, no bio-agents, so the power grid could be up and running in a few weeks or months if, say, it only affects here and surrounding states. But, it could be armed with multiple weapons. There’s a spectrum of possibilities. If it’s a HEMP–”

Mom’s eyes get big. “A what?”

“High-altitude Electro Magnetic Pulse… In this scenario, the communications and infrastructure of our country could be destroyed. Rebuilding could take months, years.”

Dad says, “Agent Doherty, what does this mean in plain English?”

He takes a long look at them both. “The devastation – unthinkable. Imagine life without power.”

I cock my head. No power? Like those documentaries on the Antiquity Channel?

“
All
unprotected electronic components will fry in vehicles, computers… phones certainly. Refrigerators. No televisions or radios. Any and
every
electronic thing unprotected. No power for homes, schools, hospitals, churches, businesses. No traffic lights, no fuel pumps. So when vehicles run out of fuel, no transportation… unless you walk. Soon, no groceries or other goods in stores. Pharmaceuticals will be difficult to obtain.”

Mom’s face loses color. “Oh Hon. Your medication…”

Dad pats her arm. “I have extra. Not a lot, but some. Plus we took that CPR/first aid course last summer. Hopefully we won’t need to put it to use.”

Agent Doherty persists. “Remember, phones won’t function to call for help. Communication with a battery-operated shortwave radio
might
be possible, but reliable electricity will be almost non-existent in the affected area. All this is about to happen… unless someone stops it.”

Dad catches Agent Doherty’s gaze. “You mean, you’re going to try and stop a missile? By yourself?”

Agent Doherty looks away, then starts the limo as a garage-sized concrete door begins to open. As soon as we halt our descent, he zooms ahead a few yards then screeches to a stop. Behind us, the door drops with finality.

He flips the locks and shouts, “Let’s-go-let’s-go-let’s-go!”

I lead the way like Miss Sandy ordered. April’s back fur raises and she growls, “I shall guard the rear.”

The humans follow me into the circular room. Agent Doherty takes a deep breath, runs to a bin marked “Tools” and yanks out a black canvas tote, then sprints to the control panel.

We race to follow.

The monitor shows 2:39… 2:38… 2:37…

Dad yells, “How can I help?”

Agent Doherty looks for an instant, flips a switch, then opens a small compartment and jerks out several folders along with a dead-cow bound book and hands them to Dad. “You’ll find what you need here, all the instructions for operating the comm unit and the logbook. It’s the best I can do for you. Don’t know that I can stop the missile, but I’ve got to try. My personal effects are in the limo. Please let my wife and children know I love them.”

I stop in my tracks. He doesn’t think he’s going to survive!

Dad shares April’s expression and nods. Mom’s eyes tear up as she mouths “Thank you,” but Agent Tyrone Doherty doesn’t see. He’s racing for the huge circular door that is opening.

As noise and steam and smoke billow into the room he shouts, “Keep trying to communicate with HQ on the dedicated frequency. If you don’t raise anyone, wait a week in case this is a bio-weapon, then one of you head topside.” He engages a red lever and the huge door starts to close. The stairwell door too. “You should be safe. If I don’t see you here…” Then he’s through and gone.

The doors seal.
WHUMPF.

Shudder.

April starts perimeter patrol as Mom stares, weeping. “Heavenly Father, please help this brave man as he tries to stop this missile from launching. Please protect our country. Help us all… In Jesus’ name, amen.”

“Amen,” whispers Dad.

Amen.

Hans bumps Mom’s leg with his nose and gently woofs, “Hey.”

She scoops him up as Dad says, “C’mon Babe. Let’s figure out how to contact Sandy.”

1:28… 1:27… 1:26…

What should I be doing? To be prepared, I trot over and put on my collar, activating the emergency frequency, just in case.

“RrrAWFfff!” barks April.

Dad runs to my sister. “What is it, Apey? What’d you find?”

She growls, “Mingled on this electrical panel box is a despicable scent, that of May’s former master, Rukan. I remember it from when Miss Sandy and Sassy were last here.”

Just then, a recorded voice snarls through a speaker high on the wall. It’s him! “When the doors closed my system activated. It is too late. Bwaahahahaha. You are locked in. Forever.”

POP. BZZZ. CRACKLE. ZAP.
Small flames burst from behind the lever handle, around the doors, the electrical array.

Mom screams. She sets Hans down and he takes off. Dad grabs a blanket from one of the bunk beds while Mom runs to the utility cabinet. “There’s got to be an extinguisher.”

Dad smothers the fire at the electronics display with the blanket, slapping and folding it to keep from getting burned. Mom runs to the nearest door with a red cylinder but the fire is already out.

0:05… 0:04… 0:03…

Rukan’s horrifying laugh blasts over the speaker. “Epic fail.”

0:02… 0:01…