KC Frantzen - May the K9 Spy 03 - May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino (9 page)

Chapter 20

W
shew.
Rukan’s out of sight.

But he left my lead wrapped around the debris, and odd… the water seems to be rising. Not good. Don’t know what’ll be next, but I’ll take my chances in these waves… though for a little dog like me, they sure are big.
Hack.
Salty water. Still, it’s better than being under Rukan’s direct control. The Creator knows where I am. I hope.

Scratch that. I
know.

Besides. I must inform HQ about the NAST cloaking device and the scheduled attack on the USS Tennessee.

Oh no! Here comes a big one. Must dog paddle.
Splutter.
Hack.

Between the waves and the harness, it’s tough to breathe. I’m pulled out to sea, towards the beach, back and forth. Each time the pull is stronger. Without much slack, the cable holds me near the driftwood.

Wonder how high will the water get?

A buoy floats not far away, along with some netting and plastic containers and wood.

Gasp!
Those scattered logs Rukan stepped over on the beach, and the other debris… Those were tossed by waves, which means… I’ll be completely underwater soon.

I’m thrashing and splashing, but… Odd. Though I swallow water sometimes, it seems easier to breathe. Hey, this harness is getting loose. I take a huge breath and paddle backwards. No good. Try again. And again.

On the third round, I’m free! And exhausted.

The water is strong – in and out – but somehow I know what to do, thank the Creator. I keep my head up and swim for the beach but I’m pulled out, then in, out again, but… Idea!

Since it’s getting deeper, there’s more water coming in than out. If I work with the waves, maybe I can grab onto something. It’d be nice to float instead of working so hard.

I’m very thirsty and lap some water but, yuk. It makes me throw up. Now I’m parched. And alone.

What was THAT? Something –
shudder
– brushed up against me… Was it alive? Eww. Who knows what’s lurking below? Slippery creatures, hungry creatures. I really might be bait! Must get out of the water.

If I could get on that buoy, it won’t matter if I go in or out, I’ll be dry.

I put on a burst of speed and swim to the low side. I hook my paws into the links of a large dangling chain and climb. Made it!

Once on top, I shake it off and lie down, panting and parched. The area between my shoulders really hurts.

Ear flick. What’s that buzzing sound?

Oh gosh. My mosquito. It tracked me instead of Rukan.

Sigh.
Will I ever get things right?

My sniffer begins working. Fresh water? Where?

Though difficult, I force myself up to explore my floating island. Ooh! Rainwater has collected in a hollow below the framework.
Lap lap lap, lap lap lap.

Better be disciplined and save a little for later.

What else do I know? I’m at sea, near rocks, and the water seems to be moving towards the beach. If my float is from Japan, then it’s come a long, long way across the Pacific to here. It’ll be on land sooner or later, and me with it. Rukan expected me to drown so maybe I can out-snooker him, if I think of a plan. What else?

Overlord offered me a position. No chance I’ll take it, but interesting that he snuck behind Rukan’s back. The Major, Agent X-Ray, my potential ally, was left with the protestors near the naval base. There was a huge black submarine and three dolphins. They’re clicking, jumping, playful creatures – sleek and beautiful, made for speed. From what Radio Guy said, they are also some kind of undercover agents ready to help capture an American submarine, a Trident, whatever that is.

I shiver in the slight breeze. Though my fur is stuck to my skin at least I’m drying off. That’s good because I’ve no shelter and the temperature is dropping. On our survival solo we learned a person must be warm and dry to survive. And I have to survive.

Oh yeah. In the bigger picture, Rukan detonated an EMP as a cover to get top secret plans, but also to cripple America for the Cause, directed by Overlord. Home is far to the southeast. Speaking of home, I hope Dad and Mom and April and Hans are okay. And Lobbie.

Also, Rukan’s base is close by. He’s utilizing amazing technology: the NAST cloaking device for aircraft and individuals – underwater too. The clear pond cover. Certainly he moves without being detected by most. And that’s about it.

AAAAaaaaOOOOOOoooooooo.

Oh! And Vargas Island is home to some dangerous and wild-smelling canines – wolves if my nose is correct. That distinctive scent reminds me of our wolf-mix survival instructor, Apex.

I watch the waves, shimmering in the moonlight. The rhythmic motion makes my eyes droopy. Maybe it’ll be alright if I close them for a little while…

Ear flick. There it is again, a hollow metallic ringing sound and rhythmic clicking.

When I hear the splashes, I crack open an eye to a magnificent early dawn.

Yawn.
Got a few hours rest.

A dolphin leaps from the water.
Splash.
I snap my head and see another.
Splash.
More clicking. Three, communicating among themselves. Wish I knew what they were saying.

If these are the ones working for Rukan and his gang, they’re bad guys which means… they probably know who I am.

After more banging and ringing, my chain ladder pulls taut. We’re moving out to open sea. But are they working for Rukan, or Overlord or someone else?

As the eastern sky turns from deep blue to grey to shades of pink, I look around. My heart races. Where’s the shore?

Several birds acknowledge me as they glide past, easily traveling on the wind. I try to stand. After a few tries, it works best to bend my legs and keep them apart. With a little practice I balance well enough to walk over for a drink. Thankfully there’s rainwater left, though this morning I notice a metallic whang.

Suddenly, the chain goes loose and I bobble in the low waves.
CLANK.
It bangs onto the side then the dolphins click. Maybe they’re trying to speak with me.

I flop on my belly and peer over the side. Nothing.

Do dolphins eat dogs? Schnauzer might be a delicacy since they probably mostly eat fish.

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
They ram my floating island again and again and again.

Yikes! Must hold on, but claws are useless on smooth surfaces. Maybe I can make it to the chain…

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

As the sun breaks through the clouds, I notice something peculiar. Dozens of ripples, then fins, break the surface of the waters, coming straight for me. There’s an urgency, like something big is about to happen and I’m in the middle of it.

I stagger over to the chain, crook my front paws through and hang on.

Chapter 21

T
he water is clear enough to see creatures streaking below the surface. More dolphins appear, and more and more and more. Rukan’s three try to bolt but time and again other dolphins attack. Rukan’s three swoop and flip and dash, trying to break away.

Then a dark stain rises in the water.
Sniff.
Blood.

The three dolphins struggle to the surface. Others leap into the air sounding an alarm, then the whole group streaks towards the north.

A huge black and white
something
with a large fin, cavernous mouth and many many teeth zooms through the surface and gobbles Rukan’s injured dolphins. One, two, three. The creature leaps high, splashes with a belly flop and swims away.

Shudder.
I just experienced a decisive battle, from the heart of it and I’m alive. Wonder of wonders. That means another opportunity to bring Rukan to justice. And I will. Somehow.

As the sun soars, some seabirds circle, occasionally diving into the waters. One swoops in and nabs my mosquito then spits it into the waves. Gone.

Great. Now when the time comes, it’s my wits against Rukan’s technology.

Waves lap against my float.
Yawn.
After all that excitement it seems so peaceful. I’m kind of bored and sleepy. And a little hungry. And thirsty. Time for a drink at least.

Drat. With all the splashing, the last of the rainwater is spoiled.

I start panting. Wish there was some shade on my metal island. My paws are starting to scorch.

I look over the side again, deep into the sparkling water. No particular danger that I can see. Okay, I’ll slip down the chain into the water and take a quick dunk, but no splashes. Might attract attention from who knows what.

Ahh. That’s better. A few choppy waves but mostly calm. The coolness feels delicious. It certainly is a lovely day, with some clouds gathering in the distance. I understand why humans enjoy being out on the water, and in it too. Swimming’s not so bad. When you think about it, there’s something positive about most circumstances and locations. Out here there’s time to think–

BUMP.

Uhm. What was that?

Splash.
A bit of ocean spray splatters my face and ears but I can’t see where it’s from. The sunlight glinting on the water makes it tough to see anything below.

I take a deep breath then plunge my head under to look. It stings my eyes but I still don’t see anything. You know, I usually don’t have to be concerned with something coming at me from underneath. Better take a…

Whoa – I’m whiskers to snout with a dolphin! She looks a lot bigger up close but doesn’t seem too threatening. Hope she’s not hungry for Schnauzer.

Goatee Sam bumped in greeting. Maybe I should too.

I stretch out to touch her with my nose.

She softly reaches her snout towards mine. Bump.

Exciting, but time for a breath. I surface just as she sprays water out of a hole on top of her head… Listen! She breathes air like me.

I must use my best manners with such an amazing creature. I yip, “Good afternoon, ma’am. I’m May. Were you part of the pack that helped me earlier?”

“Clickity click cliiiick
clickclick
.”

“Pardon?”

“Click cliiickity
click cliiica
click click.”

Maybe I don’t understand because she’s a sea creature. “Please excuse me, I don’t recognize your language. I was trying to thank you for helping me earlier, if you did.”

The dolphin advances and nods her sleek head. That means yes, at least among species that I know.

“Clickity cliiickity
click
clickclick click.”

Before I know what’s happening, she gently lifts me out of the water with her snout. Can’t get my balance! Though I’m still gripping the chain with my front paws, my hind pads slip on her slick back. I don’t want to hurt her by digging in my claws.

She drops deeper and I’m left dangling in the water as I hold the chain. She swims a short distance, quickly dips her head and splashes water on me, like she wants to play.

Should I romp with a dolphin? After all, I’m on a mission. I must communicate to Headquarters about Rukan and NAST and the plot to steal the submarine but honestly, I can’t do much ‘til my floating island gets to land… And it would be nice to have a friend.

I let go of the chain to dog paddle.

Zoom.
She’s under me again and surfaces. There’s a canvas strap about the middle of her body. Perfect. I can hang on, but I’m still not sure how we’ll play.

My new friend makes a happy
click
and off we go.

Soon others join us, diving and leaping and frolicking. My dolphin limo skims the surface, as we all race through the waves. Beautiful! Olympians have nothing on these guys.

After a while, we separate from the group and…
Gulp.
I hope she realizes I don’t belong in the water full time. Idea!

I bark, “If it’s not too much trouble, could you take me to that little town, Tofino? I’d be most grateful.”

She ignores me and swims farther to sea.

Ear flick. A motor? Oh no!

It’s that vessel which was signaling Rukan last night. They must have trained
more
than three dolphins.

My limo is taking me to Overlord!