UNDERCOVER - Dark Fire Data (Book 3)

Part 32 - Reprogramming Global Positioning System

 'Well, that turned out well,' Andy said to Con. 'We got the kids as well as the mysterious Eric Bragg. It's a pity we could find Dr Lee Zhang or Kozak. I think they know much more than they're letting on.' 

 The TV screens on the back of each seat lit up what looked like a kids' program. Several multi-coloured tetrahedrons with huge eyes and tiny arms and legs were hopping about cheerfully. They seemed to be singing but the sound was turned off. I watched as the tetrahedrons cavorted about waving letters of the alphabet above their heads. It looked like a program for pre-schoolers. My gorilla guardian seemed to enjoy the program. He was pointing at the screen and laughing. 

 The bus swayed and lurched on its super soft suspension as it turned up a ramp onto Highway 417.

Licia asked, 'Where are you taking us?'

 'I am not authorized to disclose that information,' Cornelius said smoothly.

'You'll find out soon enough,' Andy replied. 'And, as soon as we get some answers about the hackers, you will be free to go about your business . . . unless, of course, you are the hackers.'

'Now, if you will settle down, I can offer you some refreshment. We have coffee, tea and soft drinks. We have Danish, buns, cookies and fruit.' One of the Bunglers, wearing a frilly, polka dot apron, pushed a trolley down the aisle distributing cakes and drinks. I took a ginger ale and a sweet bun and watched the tetrahedrons as I tried to think of a way off the bus. 

 'Miguel, Licia, are you alright?' I called. They reassured me they were okay but Andy told us talking was not allowed. My gorilla was intent on masticating his third giant Danish so I twisted around and hissed through the gap between my seat back and the window, 'Miguel, where's Sam?'

 'I think he went back inside to get his coat,' he whispered. 'Do you know which way we are heading?'

'Highway 417 westbound,' Miguel whispered.

'Shaddup, you two,' my gorilla sprayed me with bits of strawberry jam. The braided wire band on my wrist was vibrating with an almost musical rhythm. I put my hand over my mouth in a fake yawn so I could hold the band closer to my ear. It crackled with a tiny voice. 'Supreme Lord Ziff, this is Treeka, Treeka. Are you receiving me. Over.'

'Treeka?' I whispered in amazement. 'This is Ziff. How did you find me? Er . . . over.'

'Lord Ziff, where are you? Are you in trouble? Can we help? Over.'

'We've been kidnapped,' I whispered behind my hand. 'I'm on a Chinese tour bus with Licia and Miguel. We just got on the 417 westbound at Bronson.' I was thinking rapidly. Andy said something about Homeland Security. 'Our kidnappers are heading for the U.S border. Can you do something to head us off?'

Yonnie broke in. 'Treeka is reprogramming the GPS satellites. Standing by. Out.' There was a soft pop and the wrist band stopped humming. 

 I watched the TV for about ten minutes but I was frantically thinking how I could get Miguel and Licia out of this mess. It was all my fault. They had nothing to do with it. The tetrahedrons were rearranging the letters until they read, Hail Lord Ziff. What, in the name of the Great Pumpkin, was going on? 

They rearranged the letters. Look out window.

I looked. A goose was flying alongside the bus at an impossibly high speed. I watched as it fell behind and disappeared in the darkness.

'What the hell was that thing flying past the bus?' Cornelius Black snapped.

'It was a Canada goose, sir,' one of the Bunglers replied smartly.

'You sure? That thing was flying seventy miles an hour. I didn't know they could fly that fast.'