KC Frantzen - May the K9 Spy 03 - May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino
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Authors: KC Frantzen
Tags: #Mystery: Cozy - Dogs
| KC Frantzen - May the K9 Spy 03 - May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino | |
| May the K9 Spy [3] | |
| KC Frantzen | |
| RushJoy Press (2013) | |
| Tags: | Mystery: Cozy - Dogs Mystery: Cozy - Dogsttt |
Join Agent May on her first official mission as she learns the secrets of Resolute Mountain, confronts enemy dolphins determined to seize a nuclear submarine, and discovers the trouble near Tofino.
Please visit us at
www.MaytheK9Spy.com
Copyright © 2013 KC Frantzen. All rights reserved. First Edition.
Cover photographs © KC Frantzen. All rights reserved.
Illustrations by TW Vanya at
http://twvanyafineart.com/
Cover design and formatting by Deb Tremper at
www.sixpennygraphics.com
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.
Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book, except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles.
We will donate a portion of the proceeds to causes we support. Ask about special discounts for bulk purchases, FUN-raising opportunities or book clubs:
RushJoy Press, PO Box 4031, Crossville, TN 38557
Email:
[email protected]
Ask about author and illustrator visits:
KC Frantzen:
[email protected]
TW Vanya:
http://twvanyafineart.com/contact
Manufactured in the United States of America.
ISBN 978-0-9833563-5-6
RushJoy Press,
an imprint of Bottom Line Clarity, LLC
For my Steve
Lead on!
I love you.
KC Frantzen
For
Kathy and my students from the
2012 Western Art Academy,
Schreiner University, Kerrville, Texas.
TW Vanya
Contents
Chapter 31
.
I’
m an agent!
I wiggle my whole self at the thought.
Oops. Nose print on the window. Better use my whiskers to remove it.
K9 Spy boot camp was terrific, but it’s time to be home. That is, before embarking on my next adventure, errr… mission.
As the limo makes a sharp left, I watch from the back seat.
There’s my house, up the hill! Soon I’ll be in my rightful spot, cuddled with Dad and Mom and Lobbie, my favorite toy. I’ll share my Paris adventures with my sister and brother, too, at least the unclassified parts.
But first, there’s a stop to make.
“Mr. Limo Driver, please pull over here. Won’t be long,” I woof.
The sturdy man sounds impatient. “Do you need to go out, Agent May? You’re almost home.”
No. I’m ‘improvising and using resources.’ Last time I was here by myself, a hawk attacked. I need to check… uhm… something.
Drat. Mustn’t tell everything I know.
Limo Driver breathes deeply. Tires crunch on the gravel as we stop and he gives me a look. “Your family is waiting and I want to return to mine. Hurry please.”
Thanks! Won’t be long.
Click.
The door springs open and I leap out. I try trotting through the brush but it’s rough. Nothing quiet about it either. Best use my stealthy cat walk.
Crickets sing a greeting, but the crows are quiet. Good. No hawks around.
I stop a moment to recall landmarks.
Sniff.
The soft southern breeze is dee-licious. Here’s a speed bump made by a real mole. So interesting how a word can mean different things. When in Paris, I was certain Miss Sandy and Sassy, her K9 partner, were moles – double agents – hiding in Rukan’s anarchist organization. So sure. So wrong. Glad for the chance to redeem myself after I almost blew her and Sassy’s cover.
Before leaving Headquarters, I mean HQ, Miss Sandy asked me to check out the surveillance drone at her secret shed in the woods near here. The one she replaced recently is not performing correctly. So as my first official act as an agent, I’m to check–
Honk honk.
The limo! Must hurry.
I scramble onto a rock. Hey, there’s the circular clearing. My target should be just past it to the north. I jump down and take off.
Sniff.
Yep, there’s the shed. And here’s the cement log, with a birdie drone perched on the side like before.
I wonder if Copperhead Sentinel is around. Can’t believe I missed a big poisonous snake. I must use his proper agent code name when we meet.
“Ssso, you have returned, OSSSM.”
I turn and smile, and he smiles back. “CHS, great to see you! Thanks for using the code name Miss Sandy gave me. She still calls me ‘Only Small May’ sometimes.”
His split tongue flicks between his fangs. “You had sssome excursssion.”
“Paris
was
amazing, but I’m glad to be home. Miss Sandy asked me to check something.” I place my paws on the drone’s perch.
Sniff.
“This is outdated technology, compared to what we used in boot camp.”
“Older modelsss are sssufficient. Theesse premisssesss are not highly sssignificant.”
“Miss Sandy thinks this outpost is vital. Who made the swap?”
“I’m not sssure, I wasss TDY.”
Temporary Duty. I wonder where, but best not to ask. “So, what am I supposed to check? Something about the drone?”
The Copperhead watches me, bands on his back changing shape as he coils comfortably on a warm flat stone. “There are two ssscentsss. One comesss ssstraight in along the trail. Another leadsss to the ssshed.”
I trot to the door. “Probably a kid, curious about a rickety old shed.”
The breeze shifts, images flash.
Rukan wiring my crate shut. Rukan threatening his operative at the airport. Rukan growling orders over the secret monitor in Paris.
Gasp!
That setting wasn’t familiar because of a training film… Rukan was transmitting from the bunker under this shed!
I detect a slight whirring as the drone’s head swivels, its unblinking red eyes blip on.
Someone knows I’m here!
M
aybe my old enemy, Rukan, hacked our system, gained control of this drone? Quick!
At my signal, CHS strikes and weaves wildly. When the drone adjusts direction, I dive for the old shed door.
Inside, Rukan’s stench gags me as my eyes swiftly adjust in the dim light. Must keep moving. Things seem similar to last time: shelves with cans of food, clothing, cups and plates, a camp stove. When I crawl under the folding bed, I notice the hidden door is latched from this side. Good.
Still, there could be danger. This isn’t a training exercise. Easy to be ambushed on stairs.
I unfasten the door quietly, ears tense.
No human sound.
Into the treacherous black void I creep. Halt. Listen. Repeat. Six flights down. Still no sound.
Snort.
He was here, though his trail isn’t fresh. I also sniff Miss Sandy and Sassy, but their scents are fairly faint.
Glad I conquered my fear of darkness, even so… I unfasten the light source from my collar. Like we learned, I position the beam to illuminate the high ceiling, then step purposefully away.
Things seem the same, except for
sniff
Rukan’s scribbled notes and empty hummus containers scattered about. Wonder how long he was here?
A pulsing amber glow attracts my attention. I trot to the adjacent area and notice a control board, various lights glimmering in the gloom. When I take a step closer…
Click.
Hairs stand on my back, all the way to my ears.
A tiny blue light blips on the board, then I hear a high-pitched whine as a screen riffles to life. And a voice.
Rukan’s
voice. “Whoever you are, perhaps I should thank you for exposing the mole–”
Oh no, he’s talking about Miss Sandy! Must. Not. Whimper.
“My plan was delayed in Paris, but you will fail to stop destruction and chaos in your own country. Your degenerate civilization will collapse as your sick society turns on itself, as more and more beg for peace. Then our Noble Leader will take control. A new order will arise. Bwaahahahaha…”
Click.
I race towards the lighted board. What did all
that
mean? I get the part about Paris. The Embassy failsafe systems held and we stopped Rukan and team from destroying satellite communications. But the rest?
Well, just because he says something doesn’t mean it’s true. Plus, he’s not here, so he can’t stop me… I spring onto the swivel chair, paws on the keyboard. I must try something. Something is better than nothing, right?
This array looks so outdated, I’m not sure why it’s even active. I push buttons, flip switches, turn dials. Maybe I’ll hit the right combo. A green light begins to flash. 19:59, 19:58. Counting backwards to what? Need to contact–
A serious dog voice comes from a loudspeaker on the display. “Check in, Agent May. Over.” Edgrr!
I whisper to my former boot camp instructor, “This is Agent May.”
“Our system triggered with Rukan’s transmission. We now know the source of the drone malfunction. Well done. You have completed your assigned task.”
“Thank you, Sir. But it wasn’t me alone. CHS was a terrific help. You should have seen–”
Edgrr barks, “Listen. More information forthcoming. Time is short.
“We were aware of a malfunctioning satellite. It is now determined our system was hacked and under enemy control. We’re unable to block the signals or triangulate the source. Agent May, a missile has been reactivated and armed, possibly including bio-weaponry and an EMP.”
I sit down hard. Electro Magnetic Pulse – Rukan’s specialty. Devastating to anything electronic, could cripple the entire country, the world maybe.
Grrr.
Rukan is so evil. I must find a way to stop him, for good.
Several voices bicker in the background – Miss Sandy? – then Edgrr woofs, “Change of plan. I repeat. Change of plan.”
“HUA.” Heard. Understood. Acknowledged.
“New orders. Leave your equipment in the bunker. It should be safe from the effects of the EMP. Then lead your family
here–”
Oh no, they’ll be in danger too!
“–We’ve alerted your driver and CHS. Acknowledge.”
“Yes Sir. Removing equipment. Uh… Sir? I turned some dials. Was I wrong?”
Edgrr growls. “Possibly. Do not tamper with technology unless you know what you’re doing. You might make things worse.”
“Maybe I made things better.”
“Perhaps. Get moving, Agent May.”
“Sir, is it safe–?” Drat. He’s gone.
Being an agent is hard. Now I have orders. Wish I’d told him Rukan has been
inside
the bunker.
I stash my equipment near the door, then scramble up the steps and out into the sunshine. CHS appears, looking quite pleased.
“I disssabled the drone ssso enemiesss cannot obssserve. Sssecure your family. I ssshall ssstay by roadssside to sssignal.”
“Thanks, CHS. Be right back.”
Honk honk hooonnnkkkk.
Coming!