Free KC Frantzen - May the K9 Spy 03 - May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino by KC Frantzen Page B

comfortable. Difficult. This dratted dead-cow harness is so tight.
    The plane shifts then I hear rustling as Rukan grumbles, “He was careless to leave the cargo door open. Interesting. What was he after? The dog’s collar remains, memory cards also. Even so, it was appropriate to dust them, to know if he tried to make a switch. Perhaps he can be trusted.”
    I hear Rukan approach then feel his eyes on my back. Must breathe evenly, like I’m asleep.
    He sneers, “You escaped before, but this time you will not.”
    That’s what you think.
    I force myself to look up into Rukan’s hated face and whimper. Must get him off guard, develop a plan. Agent X-Ray will help too. Maybe.
    After Rukan’s satisfied grunt, I hear the cargo door lock, and a moment later the whine of engines. The computer voice says, “Hatch closing. 49°10’55”N, 125°59’10”W. Vargas Island confirmed.”
    We’re leaving? Without– BAM BAM BAM – pounding on the hatch. It’s Agent X-Ray.
    “Let me in. I’m to go with you.”
    Rukan’s chuckle is menacing. “You have much to learn.”
    Oh NO! Agent X-Ray left behind? I start to panic then a calm settles in my spirit. Okay, fine. Rukan against me… and my mosquito.
    We lift off then turn again to the northwest.
    What just happened? Rukan still has the memory cards and my collar. I’m certain he’s suspicious of Agent X-Ray. Is X-Ray part of the Cause? I don’t think so. He knows Agent Michael and seemed to help me too. Who is Agent X-Ray really? And Overlord? Is he the big fish Agent Michael is after? Could be. And what about those scruffy people with the Ground Zero van? They have the bogus files from Resolute Mountain. Maybe they were just a decoy.
    Plans within plans.
    Now, it’s me against Rukan. Last time, he wired me inside a crate at his house and threated to kill me. But that was the very day I got adopted. Rukan’s Woman had already been in contact with Dad and Mom and they showed up at just the right time. The Creator’s plan was already in the works and I didn’t even know it. Mustn’t lose hope. I’m still alive, there’s a plan for me. The Creator is always gracious.
    I try to ignore the wisp of a thought there could be a plan for Rukan too.
    Grrr. I stamp my paw. But I don’t want grace for this evil human. I want justice for all he’s done to me, and to others. Horrible human being. Downright evil.
    From old habit I start ripping hair from my leg, chewing on my thoughts and feelings.
    After one particularly painful rip, I stop. My training kicks in. I breathe deeply to calm myself.
    I can be emotional later. While Rukan’s busy flying the craft, I should reconnoiter. Must discover what’s going on, then work a strategy.
    If I recall from map study, there isn’t much northwest of Washington State except ocean, stretching hundreds of miles. Unless… we are crossing the Pacific to Russia or beyond! The computer mentioned Vargas Island. Wonder where it is?
    As quietly as possible, I tump the box and cross the shelf to look out of the window. There’s lots of activity below on some kind of military base, Navy I’d think, with all the ships.
    We’re soaring over water and islands of many sizes, past shadowed mountain peaks sprinkled with white to the east. When I look down again, a group of dark creatures cruises through the ocean, and puffs of… smoke? How can there be fire in water? Must be something else.
    It’s all so pretty but what if I’m saying goodbye to America and my family… Forever?
    I struggle against tears as we start our descent. The computer says “Tofino” as we fly over a small town at land’s end, then beyond. Are we setting down in the ocean? I don’t really like to swim.
    Shake it off, May! Must get a grip to survive.
    We skim not far from the ocean’s surface, gliding in and out of thick fog. Occasionally I glimpse rocks below. At the coastline we veer north, then northwest again through a line of trees, the pathway nearly hidden.