Henry Stickmin: Secret Criminal (Mr Henry Toppat Book 1)

Chapter 11- Toppat Hunters (Part 3)

"The tracker has been working wonders. As the three of us went home, we hooked up the coordinates to a portable device we were given last year." Frank explained with a smile on his face. Lily was listening, while Mearui continued to stare at his computer with the coordinates, avoiding eye contact with me again.

You praised Frank, Lily and Mearui for the current progress of their work, and Frank replied, "Why thank you Stickmin!"

As we looked at the coordinates of the airship, we deduced that it was currently located in the North side of the city quickly making it's way to the East soon.

"So, what's the plan? How are we going to take them down?" Charles asked.

"We were thinking about launching a full on attack on the airship but then Frank suggested that we should stay as quiet as possible. This is in case the plan fails and to prevent the Toppats from ever knowing we tried to break into their airship, so we can hopefully get another chance. But, you know, best to take them down in one try." You explained.

The last few lines in this book is starting to sound like a conversation to you, Galeforce. Except that you can't reply...

"Looks like this is where we come in!" Charles exclaimed in happiness. "Where will we be striking it?"

"The East side of the city." You replied.

Making our way to the helicopter, Charles started skipping with happiness, knowing that we get a chance to take down the Toppats. A part of me wishes  to take them down too, but a bigger part of me hopes that the Toppats has a way of defending themselves. I mean, of course they do. That airship of theirs is so huge I would be very surprised if it does not have some kind of defense mechanism from incoming attacks. Turning invisible is very handy.

"Shit." I whispered once again.

As we took to the skies, I relaxed a bit, sticking my head out of the helicopter with the seat belt still strapped on. Charles took a quick glance at me and smiled at this sight. Birds flew at a distance away from us, afraid to get caught in the helicopter blades. I enjoy looking at them while flying in the sky. It makes me feel like an equal to them. I believe that birds have freedom.

"Won't this be great? Life has never felt so good." Charles exclaimed. My heart cramped up as I heard it. It felt like it was going to shatter.

"Guys, this is important. The airship just stopped and seemed to be suspending itself in mid air. This is your chance to infiltrate! Get to the location now." Lily told us over the intercom. Charles' eyes glistened, and he sped up the helicopter. Now I was getting more nervous. What were the Toppats doing that required them to stop? Maybe they were deploying troupes to rob someplace?

Just imagine. When I arrive there, I will be in charge of deploying these men and women to do my dirty work. 

When we reached the location, I activated the infrared camera. But then, something went wrong again.

"Lily, can you check those coordinates again? Are you sure this is right?" I asked, panicking and breathing heavily.

"Yes, I'm very sure. Is something wrong?" She asked. 

"It isn't here." I explained, and everyone, even Charles yelled with confusion. I kept looking at what the camera was seeing, and the airship isn't there. Have they managed to mask up their heat signatures? 

"Wait! I think I know what's wrong!" Charles yelled as he looked outside facing down, trying to find a place to land. We landed on an empty patch in the middle of the grass and trees. Charles hopped out of the helicopter, holding a device linked to the tracker. Being curious, I looked out, starring at him.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Charles didn't respond until he got what he was looking for, "Here it is..."

I hopped out of the helicopter and stood beside Charles who was facing a tree. There was something stuck on it.

The GPS device we tagged the airship with.

I opened my eyes in horror. So, we were in fact tracking nothing?

I fell back in shock, my legs feeling like jelly. Charles turned around in a hurry, worried that something was wrong with me.

"Henry! Are you okay?" He asked frantically. The sunlight shone against the object, casting a dark shadow. I started at it, not being able to pick up my composure.

"Come, let's get you back..." Charles asked with worry.

With a single tear running down my cheek, Charles picked me up, and placed me in the helicopter. I didn't know why I was crying, or why I fell down. I don't understand. Maybe it's something beyond my comprehension. After he helped me with my seatbelt, he went back to collect the tracker, and deactivated it.

Whatever he said to headquarters on the way back sounded like crowds murmuring to me.

Upon landing, Charles took my hand, smiling but with a hint of worry on his face, and helped me out of the helicopter. We went to meet with the rest of the team to discuss further plans.

"How did the Toppats know??" You shouted with anger, banging your fist on the table. I got scared, lowering my head.

"Calm down, Hubert. Anger isn't going to solve our current issue." Frank said.

"We'll just have to find a new solution, sir." Mearui said as he typed in some reports.

"Somehow, they knew about the tracker. Did someone tip them off?" Charles asked.

That set me off a little. I didn't know how the Toppats were informed of the tracker.

"I'll be in the office." I mumbled, and left.

As I walked down the bustling hallway, my legs felt like they were going to collapse any second. Why is this happening? Sometimes we cry with no reason. Maybe our consciences know, but rather not tell us for some reason.

I sat on my chair, leaned back, letting the tears flow. I was afraid about being exposed just now. Perhaps I'm still safe, but it's hard to be certain.

Amidst the tears, I fell asleep.

"There's another vital mystery that needs to be solved." Hubert said, closing the door to his office and shutting the blinds.

"And what may that be...?" Frank asked.

Hubert took out printed photos taken from the CCTV surveying the cell block in headquarters. The first few shots shown the cells, but then the next few ones were black.

"This was how the culprit blocked out the security cameras."

"So you mean this mystery." Frank responded, holding the pictures in his hands.

"Due to the blockage, there was no definite evidence that Ilas Hayes really was the one behind this, so I had to be sure. A part of me tells me he didn't do it, know I believe that he didn't assist Copperbottom in jailbreak. Upon very careful inspection, the lock was precisely picked. Every movement the culprit made in picking the lock was perfect. Not a single mistake was made."  Hubert explained.

"Then this must be the work of a professional."

"My thoughts exactly."

Frank let out a smile, and said something highly crucial, "Do you think it's that Stickmin lad? Did the culprit leave any prints?" He chuckled.

"No, Stickmin would never do such a thing. There are other agents in our arsenal who are capable of doing the job too. And no, no prints were uncovered." Hubert explained.

"But, I mean, I could be right."

"There's no evidence, Frank. Whoever did this didn't leave a trace."