The Amazon Experiment (6 page)

As the express wardrobe to Harrison's office plummeted downwards, Max and Linden stabilised themselves by holding onto the rack of old clothes. The plunge unsettled their already nervous stomachs, but when the wardrobe came to a standstill, it also unsettled something else.

‘Ouch!'

A storm of boaters, bowlers, pith helmets and dust rained down on Max's head from a round leather hat box.

‘You'd think the top spy agency in the world could work out a more comfortable way to travel.'

‘They need to be discreet,' said Linden.

‘I'd like to know how I'm going to survive all this discreetness.'

Linden smiled and went to open the door, but stopped as they heard voices coming from the office, one commanding and serious, the other calm and attentive.

‘Yes, sir … No, sir … You can count on me, sir.'

Max's brow creased. ‘It's Agent Perfect. What's he doing here?' As she spoke, the dust from the hatbox nestled firmly into her nose, and an almighty sneeze took hold of her and flung her out of the wardrobe.

‘Max. Linden,' the Chief of Spyforce began.

‘Now that you're all here, I can brief you on Mission Triatoma. You remember Agent Suave, of course?'

Suave held his hand firmly out to Max.

‘Of course,' Max gritted, and looked quickly at Harrison to avoid having to shake Suave's hand.

‘Looks like I get to work with you sooner than I thought.' Suave's face glittered with a perfect smile. ‘Don't worry, kids. We'll crack this case wide open.'

Linden flinched as he saw Max's face tense up. There were a few things that could make Max lose her temper and one of them was to call her ‘kid'.

‘Even though Suave is a new agent, his level of ability and skill is equal to that of some of the best agents in the Force.'

‘Mr Harrison …' Max started to object, but Harrison held up his hand to stop her.

‘Steinberger, activate the Shush Zone.'

Steinberger had replaced his lady beetle lab coat with a more subtle suit, and now that he was nowhere near Frond, he was back to his usual self. He ushered the agents into a tight circle behind Harrison's desk. He then pulled a small metal globe from his pocket and lifted it into the air, creating a sparkling green glowing curve around them that restricted what was said to their ears only.

Once the curve was complete, Harrison began.

‘Sorry, Max. We have no idea how secure the agency is at this point, so we'll need to take every precaution. As I was saying before, Suave has passed all the required physical, moral and intelligence tests, and after rigorous ID and Goodness checks, he came out smelling better than a spring flower show.'

Max was keen to stop talking about Suave and his smell. ‘Do you think the sleeping sickness is related to the stolen Spyforce manual?' she asked.

Harrison flinched at the mention of the crime. ‘I suspect it is, Max, but we're still working on it. Frond and Finch have given me their knickers … oh, sorry … their
briefs
, and their information about the sickness and the triatoma bug has been sent to your computers. I've also contacted Ben and Eleanor to let them know you've been placed on a mission and won't be home for a few days.'

‘We're ready, sir,' Max replied.

‘Absolutely, Mr Harrison,' Suave agreed in his overzealous way.

‘All of you will be flown to a secret destination in Brazil in South America. We have pinpointed an area of the Amazon Jungle where the concentration of the triatoma bug is at its
highest. Steinberger will be your main contact for the mission. Keep him posted of all developments and he will take care of the operation from our end.'

‘But, sir …' Max worded her next question carefully. ‘Wouldn't it be better if we went on the mission with someone more experienced, like Agent Crane?'

Harrison smiled warmly, knowing Max's affection for Spyforce's top agent. ‘Exactly what I was thinking. Steinberger, Alex and I have gone through what we know so far and after liaising with Finch and Frond, Alex is at present busy finalising her plan of action. She will make the perfect mission feeder … oh dear … I mean
leader
.'

‘Excellent!' Max yelled a little too excitedly. ‘I mean, she will be a great leader, sir.'

‘A wise decision, Mr Harrison,' Suave chimed in.

‘Sleek is readying the Invisible Jet, which has been equipped with Quimby's Inflatable Foldaway Vehicles. The terrain you are about to enter is rugged and vast. Some of it has yet to even be ignored … make that
explored
. You will have time during the flight to read over all your material and
become fully acquainted with how best to locate the bug and get it back to Spyforce. Alex will explain the mission details and Steinberger will be contactable 24 hours a day if you need his assistance.'

‘Sir, couldn't we use the Time and Space Machine?' Max asked.

‘Not this time, Max. Ben and Francis have advised us it doesn't have the weight capacity to transport the agents and equipment needed for this mission.' Harrison turned towards a miniature plasma screen positioned on his desk. ‘Before you go, Frond has a few final words for you.'

Harrison called up Frond's direct videoline but a frown creased his forehead. He turned the screen to let the others see. ‘She must have stepped away from her desk. I'll switch to a different angle.'

‘Sir?' Steinberger lost his usual calm demeanour as Harrison moved the camera around the Plantorium by remote, but this time it wasn't Frond's presence that made him agitated, it was her absence.

‘Hey, what's that?' As the camera angle shifted, Linden saw something on Frond's computer.

Harrison zoomed in. A note was stuck to the screen:

 

Your beloved Frond has gone.

Sorry there was no time for goodbyes.

 

‘That's Frond's handwriting.' Steinberger's face went from crimson to white and back to crimson again as his eyes remained fixed on the screen.

‘Are you sure?' Harrison stared at the fine handwriting.

‘I'd put my life on it.'

‘But why would Frond write her own kidnap note?' Max felt a weird chill at what they were seeing.

‘This is much more serious than we thought.' Harrison seemed momentarily lost for words. ‘Max, Linden and Suave, you must complete your mission with Alex to find the triatoma bug and get back here as soon as you can. If what Finch and Frond say is true, we need that bug within seventy-two hours.'

Max opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Suave. ‘You can count on us, sir.'

‘But sir,' Linden said quietly. ‘What about Frond?'

Harrison's eyelids wavered, as if they were being pulled shut and he was doing his best to resist.

‘I … I …'

Linden and Max exchanged worried looks. ‘Sir, are you okay?' Linden leant forward to see the chief's face more clearly.

‘I must find her!' Steinberger cried out, his eyes still transfixed on the plasma screen, staring at the place Frond should have been.

Harrison moved to face Steinberger. ‘Sorry, Steinberger, my decision has been made.' He tried to stifle a deep yawn. ‘It is essential that you conduct the operation from here.'

Max and Linden could see Steinberger wasn't listening.

‘Steinberger,' Harrison said with a warning ring in his voice. ‘You have neither the on-field experience nor the stomach for this mission. And pardon me for saying so, but you've never been one for being in the middle of nature.' He paused, his eyelids drooping over his eyes. ‘And I forbid you to put your life in danger by …'

And at that Harrison slumped into his chair, fast asleep.

From that moment, the bumbling Steinberger from the Plantorium was gone. He took out his palm computer and tapped at it decisively.

‘Finch, Harrison is in his office and has the illness. We need medics here right away. Max,
Linden, Suave and I are going in search of the triatoma bug and Frond, who has been kidnapped, no doubt for her expertise in the Plantorium. I know she briefed you on the antidote, so do everything you can to prepare until we return. Alex will remain here and direct the operation from the ground. And Finch …' He stood taller for his James Bond-style sign-off. ‘May the Force be with you.'

He shut down his computer then turned to Max and Linden with a steely look in his eyes that they'd never seen before. ‘Let's go.'

Steinberger's determined step was cut short by a resounding thud that Max knew was the unmistakable ring of someone running into the Shush Zone. Steinberger rubbed his forehead. ‘Once I deactivate this.'

He held out the silencing device and the green glowing curve of the Shush Zone disappeared.

Agent Suave stood in front of Steinberger, blocking his way to the wardrobe. ‘I think we should follow Harrison's orders,' he challenged. ‘If, as he pointed out, you have no on-field experience, it would be much better to …'

Steinberger inched his way towards Suave, standing as firm as his tall, gangly body would allow.

Max looked on, unable to tell if Suave's objection came from a genuine dislike of disobeying orders, or if he had some other reason he didn't want Steinberger on the mission.

‘I am not only going on this mission,' Steinberger instructed with a quiet power that was very un-Steinberger-like, ‘I'm heading it. If you have any doubts about my ability as a Spyforce agent, I suggest you take it up with Harrison when he wakes up, because by then we'll have rescued Frond, found the triatoma bug and saved the lives of Spyforce agents from a potentially fatal illness.'

Max blinked as she tried to recognise the meek and sometimes bumbling Spyforce Administration Manager. Suave shifted uneasily in his overpressed, immaculate suit. It was obvious he disagreed with Steinberger's plan, but it was also obvious he had no choice. ‘Sure, Steinberger, it's just that …'

‘Do you know where Frond is?' Linden saw something in Steinberger's eyes that told him he did.

‘I'm almost certain of it.'

‘Where is she?' Max stepped in front of a silenced Suave.

‘It is widely known that Dr Frond is one of the
foremost professors of biology in the world. The powder that caused the sleeping sickness could only have been created by someone with a similar intelligence, but of an evil nature. It is no coincidence that the theft of the manual, Frond's disappearance and the sickness occurred at the same time. I believe that when we find the triatoma, we will not only find Frond but the manual as well.'

Steinberger turned and walked into the wardrobe.

There were so many questions filling Max's and Linden's heads that for a second they couldn't move — until they saw Steinberger's face.

‘There's no time to lose!' he commanded.

Max, Linden and Suave hurried to the wardrobe, just in time for the door to close and hurl them directly into the beginning of their mission.

‘I've been told how you beat Blue without an ounce of Spyforce training.'

Suave had been trying to make conversation with Max as they waited in the VART beside the Invisible Jet, but with all that had been happening and the way his hair stared perfectly back at her, she wasn't keen to chat.

‘That would have taken some nerve. I hear the guy's a real piece of work.'

Linden sat eating an apple and smiling as Max looked out for Steinberger, hoping he'd come back soon and save her from having to talk to this guy.

Finally Steinberger appeared at the end of the metal walkway. ‘I've got it. Let's go.'

Steinberger held a pack he'd put together in Quimby's lab. He'd had to use Max's pack as a guide for the mission's devices since Quimby had been taken away sick. Now he strode towards them with purposeful steps, head high, knowing nothing would stop him.

Then he stopped. ‘I hope I have enough handkerchiefs. That jungle's going to play havoc with my allergies.'

‘Steinberger?' A voice came from behind. It was Alex. ‘I won't let you head this mission.' Steinberger held his pack even more tightly.

‘Alex, I have to go.'

‘But it doesn't comply with Harrison's orders.'

‘I agree,' Suave added.

Steinberger ignored Suave's comment and looked at Alex intently. ‘I know Harrison wanted you on this mission, but with your knowledge of the Force and your natural leadership skills, I believe you will be better suited to commanding all aspects of the mission from here.'

Steinberger lowered his eyes a little.

‘Plus, I believe I am the best person to find Frond.'

Max knew, no matter how hard they tried, they'd never be able to convince him to stay, not when Frond was in danger.

‘We'll be fine, Alex, I promise. We'll complete this mission in record time, then everything can go back to normal.'

Alex had never gone against a directive from Harrison and Max could tell she was uncomfortable even with the idea, but Alex couldn't avoid the impenetrable determination etched into Steinberger's face.

‘You will contact me the moment you're in trouble.'

Steinberger smiled. ‘I will.'

‘You will take no unnecessary risks …'

‘None.'

‘… and if the lives of any one of you is in danger you change tack or abort the mission immediately?'

‘Change or abort. Absolutely.'

Alex stared at the Administration Manager. ‘I'll send the mission plan to you immediately.'

‘Thanks, Alex.' There was much more Steinberger wanted to say.

‘Be careful.' It was barely a whisper from Alex before she leant in and kissed him on the cheek.

Steinberger blushed and turned quickly to enter the jet.

Max turned to Alex. ‘Thank you.'

Alex gave a strained smile. ‘Look after them, Max.'

Her chest exploded with pride.

‘I will.'

Sleek's disembodied voice sounded over the intercom. ‘Lady and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. The Invisible Jet is ready for take-off. The Automatic People Sanitiser has been activated and is awaiting its first passengers.'

‘I forgot about that.' Linden winced. The last time they had experienced the Sanitiser, it had felt like his brains were being sucked out of his head.

‘Do we really have to do this?' Max asked.

‘It's an extra precaution,' Steinberger answered. ‘Since the sleeping sickness has taken over, we can't afford to take any chances.'

The two agents squeezed through the entrance hatch of the Invisible Jet, which had been blocked by two balloon-like walls that led to a small white rubber room.

‘You ready?' Max asked Linden.

‘Only if you are.'

A blast of vacuum-like air sucked at their hair and clothes, whisking them round in circles and bouncing them off the soft walls. They were spun, twirled and jostled before the suction stopped and they were spat out of the room and sent toppling into the jet.

‘Sorry about that.' Steinberger was spat out behind them. He gained his balance, patted down his ruffled hair and made his way to his seat. ‘I had it programmed to Super Clean.'

As Max and Linden took their seats, Max grinned at the entrance, waiting for Suave to blunder through. After a few seconds the agent stepped through as easily as if he was getting out of a car, his clothes intact and his hair still looking perfect. Max disliked him even more.

Steinberger pressed a button on his armrest and spoke to the jet's pilot. ‘Ready to go, Sleek.'

The jet levitated and slowly made its way to the exit of the VART. It then thrust itself into action, forcing the agents into the backs of their seats as it began its high speed journey to the Amazon Jungle.

Once they were at cruising altitude, Steinberger took out a small bag of herbal Plantorium medicines. He began swallowing pills, drinking measured pink liquids and stirring bright green powders into various mugs of water.

‘Steinberger?' Linden was curious.

‘Allergies. The Plantorium staff put this together for me. It only takes little things to set me off if I'm not careful, so let's hope these tackle the Amazon, eh?'

When he was done, Steinberger put his pack away and looked intently at Alex's mission plan and accompanying maps of the Amazon on his palm computer.

Max watched as Steinberger busied himself with his notes and Linden opened his palm computer to read the mission briefing.

‘Linden?' she whispered. ‘We should say the pact.'

‘We don't have to, Max. I know you don't like saying it.' He turned back to his computer screen.

It was true. In the past Max had thought holding hands and promising to take care of each other before a mission was embarrassing and way too sentimental, but this time she meant it. She wanted to let Linden know she would do everything she could to make sure he didn't get hurt. Or killed.

‘Come on.' She tried to sound light as she grabbed his hands away from his computer keys. ‘You know you can't live without it.'

Before Linden could object, Max started saying the pact, and for the first time, she remembered every word. ‘If Linden M. Franklin should come to harm or get lost or be in danger in any way, I, Max Remy, will do everything I can to help him and bring him to safety.'

Linden was impressed and repeated his version of the pact.

Max sighed and let go of his hands. ‘See? That wasn't so hard.'

Linden frowned, not sure where Max's change of heart for the pact had come from.

‘What should we do first, Steinberger?'

‘I think the first thing for us to do …'

Steinberger began, but he was interrupted by a message coming through on his palm computer. A broken image filled the screen, accompanied by the hiss and splatter of static. Underneath could be heard the fractured sounds of someone's voice.

‘Who is it?' Max leant over.

Steinberger increased the volume and adjusted the settings. ‘I'm not sure.' Then an icy jolt of recognition reverberated through Steinberger, Max and Linden. The picture stabilised long enough for them to know it was Frond.

‘Oh dear,' Steinberger breathed.

They played the message again to try and work out what Frond was saying. Max wrote down grabs of information from the splintered message. ‘Captured … triatoma … lab experiments …'

And then the last part before the transmission ended. ‘Extreme danger …' The message suddenly became clear. ‘Do not worry about me, please. The safety and security of Spyforce is much more important. My location is …'

Before she could say any more, the image shifted to a distorted angle, as if her palm computer had been thrown to the floor. The agents gazed helplessly as they heard the muffled sounds of Frond being forcibly taken away.

All four agents watched the crooked image until the leather boots of the attacker came back. One foot remained still as the other was lifted out of the image. Seconds later, with a violent snap, the picture became a cruel, desolate black.

Linden put his hand on Steinberger's back.

‘We'll find Frond. We've got enough information to make a good start.'

‘Yes, of course.' He tried to say more but his lips waved in an aimless shiver.

‘Yeah. We'll find her before anything happens,' Max assured him.

Steinberger's mind filled with a skirmish of imaginings of what terrible things might become of Frond, of what might be happening to her now.

But there was no time to dwell on these thoughts. At that moment the jet rolled forward, overbalancing into a slow but steady nosedive.

Max and Linden turned to each other. ‘Sleek!'

Suave and Steinberger unbuckled their seatbelts and lurched their way to the front of the jet.

Max was having trouble with her belt, but when she did get it undone, the plane shifted sideways and she was flung headfirst into the wall of the jet.

‘Max!' Linden turned from the door of the cockpit and climbed back to pull her up.

‘Are you okay?'

‘You mean apart from the fact that we're plummeting to our deaths?'

‘Good,' Linden smiled. ‘You're fine.'

They pushed through the door into the cabin and saw Steinberger pulling an unconscious Sleek into the copilot's seat and strapping him in. Next to them, Suave was at the flight controls. ‘We'll have to land where we can,' he announced to no-one in particular.

‘You know how to fly this thing?' Linden yelled above the droning fall of the jet.

‘A little,' Suave answered calmly, as he tried to lift the jet from its spiralling fall. ‘Sleek's been giving me lessons.'

‘You just happen to know how to … Aaaah!'

Max was flung to the floor as the sharply descending plane hit the top of a cluster of trees, damaging one of the engines. Suave tried to pull the plane up.

‘It's no good. We need more power. We'll have to make an emergency landing.'

Linden clung to the back of the pilot's seat and Max tried to stand up, but her efforts were interrupted by a food hatch that flung open, knocking her out and sprinkling her with a
powdery mixture of coffee and sugar.

‘I suggest you all strap yourselves in,' Suave said. ‘This may not be one of the smoothest landings you'll ever have.'

Steinberger and Linden managed to get Max to a seat and strap her in before doing the same themselves.

As Linden gripped his hand rest, he concentrated on watching Suave's sure grip on the controls and his face sculpted with determination.

The window of the jet filled with the deep green and brown tangle of the jungle coming closer and closer. Suave craned his head to find a clearing to land in and realised there was none. He tried to slow the jet down as much as he could to make the landing. It wasn't ideal, but it was the only choice they had.

‘Hold on!' he yelled, barely turning his head, as the jet made its wayward descent into the heart of the Amazon jungle.