CHAPTER 6

o.O.O.o

They had an uneasy start, getting off the park way and finally into the run way. Since it was dark, it meant a cloudier vision. Good thing they had night goggles in the glove drawer.

It was surprising how easy they made it look. As the plains took off from the air force base and into the night sky, they all cheered and congratulated one another on a roaring success. "Next stop, Croc Blood Island!" Jake cried into the loud speakers. Mustard and Wishbone cheered in response to his memorandum.

It was jarringly calm, flying over such a dark sea. It was pitch black, save for two bright moons looming over the horizon. Jake flew in the lead, with Mustard at the tail. They were flying fast, nearing their destination; Croc Blood Island. They hadn't a map, but the radar on the hologram screen in their laps pointed them in the right direction. While Wishbone read aloud the coordinates, Jake flew on with a grim look on his face.

Hopefully they wouldn't be too late for the actual battle… it was frustrating, how Jake yearned to be there NOW. He had to be there… no force on earth would tear him apart from his mission. He was an ancient, right. Ancients didn't quit.

Even though the jets were quite fast, they were still hundreds of miles from their destination. They were flying over a large ocean, dismissed from the land; which meant no fuel for a long time. They were on a journey now… an endless quest to save their homeland. It was amazing, seeing as how only a day ago they were at home, having fun… Collie wasn't even assigned twenty four hours ago…and now… look where they were.

Their jets whisked across the dead ocean, and the moon glistened across their sleek fighting jets. It was amazing that they hadn't even been caught by the police… they were gone now, out of Petos. All they had between them now was a couple of small islands, and than Lizoro.

"Bloody lizards…" Jake sneered, glowering ahead. Seeing as how he'd never flown in the dark, he was extra alert; the steering wheel took thirty good pounds to steer, which made it even more of a hassle. But that’s what training had been for, right? They were bound to go to war, and this much sooner just made it easier and for the best.

"We're passing the border now… as soon as we do, we're free to do as we please." Wishbone said. There was a hint of diffidence in his throat. Flying at this hour, stealing two fighter jets… this was all way over his head. He was just lucky Jake was in the lead, and not him…

When they passed the border, Wishbone gave a sigh of relief. Jake looked past his shoulder and laughed. "Hey, it's alright buddy. We're passed Petos now, so you can breathe easy."

Wishbone new he could count on Jake. Through all of their quarries, Jake had always out shown him and his friends. Jake was one of the most talented animals Wishbone new. He had a lot of experience flying jets too. Sometimes it was as if he was born to fly…

"Where are we now?" Jake asked passed his shoulder, to Wishbone. His brother was right on it, giving a swift reply, "New Africa, dude." He clicked a couple of buttons on his hologram, and another screen appeared. This hologram contained hundreds and thousands of New African animals and gave language, and moral value's to the reader. It was an excellent resource for charting new lands.

They neared land, and in almost no time they were flying over the wide world of New Africa. It was amazing; as they soared through the clouds, they looked down to see a vast ocean of tree's, mountains, plains, and grasslands. Even through the dark it was a sight to see. Not only that, but they were glad to come nearer to land. It meant refueling if they needed it, and a safer landing than if they had to land in the ocean. Wishbone was thoroughly great full for that. He'd had bad experiences with water, ever since Jake told him the bathtub upstairs was possessed.

Suddenly a screech from below bellowed into Jake's ears. Confused, Jake swiveled around and looked below his tail. He froze in instant fright at the sight of two sirens from behind. From the walky talky at the dial beside the steering wheel, Mustard shouted; "It’s the POLICE!"

"Shit!" Jake cried, now seeing a sleek, thundering police car nearing them. Wishbone shrieked and coward in his seat. "GREAT! now what!?" He wailed.

"Hold on guys, we've got to stop." Jake cried into the walky talky. Mustard sounded dumbstruck on the other end. "Are you serious dude?! Do you want to get caught?"

"We'll get caught anyway…" Jake said sadly, flipping a switch near the remote control. The air craft jolted to an alarming stop and than went into hover mode. Mustard seemed perturbed but did as was told, and stopped along side Jake's air craft. The Air Patrol Jet stopped in between their crafts; Jake's heart sped as the window opened. "We're dead!" Wishbone cried, sniffling up tears.

"Shut up!" Jake sneered. He took a deep breath as the Patrol Officer flashed a light into his eyes and looked him dead on.

The officer looked to be a lion; a really strong looking lion. His orange hair was rugged and curled at his neck side. He had big, meaty arms, and his fire eyes burned into Jake's own; his gruffly voice asked; "Hey boys. Where are yal headin?" He sounded really accusatory.

At the moment, Jake didn't know whether to gun it or whack Wishbone off the side of the head for crying a rain storm in the trunk. So he just sat dumbfoundedly in his cock pit. The lion didn't look too amused.

"Boy, you hear me? Where are you going?"

Jake shook his mane. "No—umm…"

The lion's eye brow raised. He turned and looked over at the horse sitting at the other side.

"What about you? Do you know where you two are taking these dang expensive, highly dangerous air crafts?"

Before Mustard could get them into anymore trouble, Jake spoke up. "We're going to war, sir." He said rather severely. The lion looked at him with a glint of humor in his eyes.

"Aren't you a little late for role call?"

"Yes, sir… we ran a little late."

"What division' you in?"

"34th."

The lion grew quiet for a moment, still eyeing the wolf dog. He stroked his whiskers; he was pondering on something. Jake was too… fifty? Maybe, sixty years in prison? I hope the food is good…

"You got a license?" Was all the lion could say. Jake sighed in relief. "Yes sir, we all do."

"All? You got someone in the back?" Asked the lion, peering over Jake's shoulder into the back of the jet. Wishbone squeaked, jumping up in his seat. At the sight of the lion he coward and weakly replied; "Yea, I'm here!" It was more of a croak though, than anything. Which made the lion even more suspicious.

"Get them out please." The lion ordered. The boys nodded, and soon each had their licenses out and ready to be inspected.

They waited, as the lion looked them over. He looked them over again, than handed them back.

"So you guys just got these? And now you're in the army…" The lion surpassed a laugh. "Heh…you Petoians are awfully funny critters. And if you are doing something illegal I cant do anything about it…"

Jake nodded. "We understand sir."

"You'd better…" The lion said, revving up the Jet engine. Jake let out an immense sigh of relief as the police jet roared past them, than flew off into the night.

"That was close." Mustard said breathlessly, as they started their formation again. Jake nodded. "Very close." And with that they dismissed into their regular formation.

o.O.O.o