Dreams of the Fathers
By Indy and Chris Silva

Chapter 1 – Business as Unusual and a Disappearing Act

If there was one person in Ranger Headquarters who was truly content this morning, it would have to be Chip Maplewood. The daring detective had been through a lot in the past year, but when the morning sun awakened, his first sight was that of his beautiful wife resting next to him. He smiled warmly, just looking at that angelic face and wondering how he had been so fortunate. With an inborn sense of stealth, he silently slipped out of bed and dressed, knowing that Lahwhinie liked to sleep later than he did.

Chip came into the main room and opened the front door, breathing the fresh morning air. It was the start of a good day. After a few moments, he closed the door and sat in front of the sofa, checking the latest news reports. Stan Blather was on, and Chip noted that this human never looked like a morning person. As the anchor started reading the news, some footage of a city meeting ran.

“...and this morning, the mayor was pleased to announce that the past six months have seen the lowest crime rates in the past five years. And now for the world roundup...”

“No wonder, with Fat Cat out of the picture,” Chip said. The rest of the news was the same—ordinary business that didn’t hint of crime. Chip hoped that the police station would be more fruitful, and had just decided to see if Lahwhinie was up yet when Dale came bounding down from the lair. “Hiya, Chip-a-rooney! How’s everything this morning?” Chip gestured to the clear sky visible through the window. “It’s a sparkling day, Dale. How are you and Gadget? Oh, and your children-to-be?”

Dale plopped down on the sofa, seemingly carefree. “Everything’s great so far. Gadget’s sleeping a lot longer in the mornings now that she doesn’t get that morning sickness anymore. I’m glad Monty had a talk with her and kept her from getting up early to try to invent things. Gotta admit though, that power chair she built for getting downstairs from the lair’s really neat. Wish she’d have told me it had a high gear on it before I used it. Sorry about that hole in the sofa, but it least it did stop my head!”

The leader of the Rangers shook his head in good humor. “Your folks must be really excited. What are you and Gadget going to do now that you’ll have kids? Are you going to go part-time with the Rangers? I wonder what Noel and Foxy are going to do when their child comes.”

“We talked about it some. Gadget still wants to invent of course, so we’ll probably hire us a babysitter when she’s got to have some private time. I can’t wait to see the kids, and as for me…well, I dunno yet. I love what we do and all, but if the kids need me more, I guess I’ll haveta make time for ‘em.”

Chip patted his old friend on the back. “You’re starting to talk like a dad, even. I’m lucky with Theo. He’s almost at the age where he’ll want as much freedom as possible. I guess all I’ll have to worry that is that he won’t need me.”

“Aw, you don’t have to worry! Theo worships you! He’s gonna be Chip Maplewood the second, practically!” Dale said. Chip raised his brows in an “I hope so” look. “I love being his dad. It’s been a life-altering situation.”

“Kids these days,” Dale chuckled. “Remember how it used to be, Chip? All we worried about was getting the next month’s comic books and making sure our bubble gum supply was good.” Chip remembered all right. “Well, we’ll have to make sure to keep our kids on the straight and narrow. Just imagine what it’ll be like when our kids are telling their kids, ‘the kids these days’.”

Dale’s eyes grew wide with the thought. “You mean when we’re as old as Grandpa Sean? That’s a scary thought.”

“Come an’ get it, lads! Early bird gets the cheese!”

With that, the boys retired to the kitchen, where Monty and Eva had prepared breakfast. Eva had asked Monty to teach her a few culinary tricks, and despite her being Gadget’s mother she’d learned how to cook a few things without messing them up. Chip and Dale both complimented her when they learned she’d made the biscuits. “Vell, it was either that or learn to cook grits, but there are no grits trees that grow this far north, you know,” Eva said.

Monty winked. “Lucky fer us there’s plenty o’ pasta trees.” Dale got up from his seat. “I’m gonna look in on Gadget.” Chip watched his friend go, still finding it hard to believe that Dale had finally grown up. “I guess time has a way of sorting things out.”

“You won’t hear an argument here, dear.” Lahwhinie had just come in, wearing her nightgown, and hugged Chip from behind. “Aloha, and how’s the coffee?” Chip set the coffee pot in front of her. “Monty’s java’s always a great way to start the day. Sleep well?”

“Like a bump on a log,” Lahwhinie said, stretching. “A few more weeks of this, and I might get used to the simple average life. It is sort of nice not having to wake up and try to figure out what con I’d use to get through the day. Who knew that being honest was such a good life?” Chip smiled in the special way he did when engaging in a tête-à-tête with his wife. “I’m glad you see it that way. So where’s Theo? He needs to be up for school soon.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll turn up in a minute or so. Anything brewing this morning besides the percolator?”

“I hope not. For once I feel like relaxing for a day,” Chip said.

Everyone immediately sat up.

“What!” Lahwhinie exclaimed.

Monty nearly dropped the plate of cheese sausages he’d cooked. “Chip lad, you feeling all right? Did me cheese stroganoff last night set you off wrong?” Eva checked his pulse and forehead. “He seems okay. Chip, vhy this sudden change?” Chip smiled, knowing that it had to be a shock to the routine. “Okay, okay—enough Chip jokes. I have a family now and need to make more time for them, just like Dale’s doing for his. I have altered priorities.”

“Oh boy!” Theo said, bounding in. “Does that mean we get to do something this weekend?”

“Sure,” Chip replied, “Did you have anything in mind?” Theo was never short on ideas when it came to fun. “How about Carnival Land? It’s the coolest theme park around, with all the latest stuff. They even have a virtual reality game from ‘Henry Harrison and the Shrine of Peril’!”

“That sounds good. Maybe we should wait till you get home from school, then we’ll see about going.” Theo nodded and started devouring his breakfast. “I knew Henry Harrison would get you interested.”

Dale rejoined them soon, and after breakfast Chip decided that the police station could wait. That shocked Dale, because Chip hadn’t missed his scheduled day at the police station in quite some time. Chip was firm, though, and the Rangers started the day just talking about their lives and how they’d changed. Dale had just finished explaining how he would put his kids through college when there was a knock at the door.

In a brown furry blur, Dale got up and answered the door. “Rescue Rangers! No case too big or small!” It was a cardinal, and one that none of them had met before. The red bird wearing a black vest seemed a little self-conscious. “Um, I have a message for Chip Maplewood or Dale Oakmont. Would you happen to be one of those?”

“I’m Dale Oakmont. Would you like to come in? You look nervous. What’s the problem?”

The bird looked about once more. “Yeah, I think I will come in. My name’s Larry.” Larry came in and sat down on the sofa. “A human asked me to come here. At first, I thought he was just playing like most humans, but this one knew what I was saying! It so freaked me out. Do you know a guy named Donald Drake?”

At the mention of that name Dale’s interest went through the roof. “Oh, let me get Chip! This is probably important.” Dale rushed to the kitchen to get Chip and they returned shortly. “Hello, Larry. How can we help you?”

“I am so weirded out!” Larry said. “This human comes up to me and tells me to go to Ranger Headquarters in Central Park. I’m to say, ‘I couldn’t chance a phone call. Meet me at the fountain at the usual time’. That make any sense to you?” Chip wondered what all the secrecy was about. “We get what he’s getting at. Thanks, Larry. We’ll take it from here. If you’re hungry, there’s breakfast in the kitchen. We need to get ready to meet Drake.”

Larry held his wings up in a “no thanks” position. “After that, I don’t think I can hold down anything. They’ll never believe this back at the nest...” Larry headed out, shaking his head, and Dale turned his mind to the matter at hand. “Uh, Chip? Maybe if whatever Drake’s got to say is bad, you should stay here and let us handle it. Not that it will be bad or anything, but then again it couldn’t be too good if he’s after us at this time of day.” Dale stopped himself. “Whoa, I just babbled! Guess I’ve been around you too much, Gadget.”

Gadget—who had come down from the lair in the interim—gave him a look, but it wasn’t too unfriendly. She was bulging to be sure, and she had been forced to substitute maternity clothes for her coveralls. Donna had pitched in with her sewing talents, and this morning Gadget was wearing a purple top with matching slacks. “Just remember, you promised to keep my workshop clean until I can get back in there.” Dale saluted. “Sure thing! I really didn’t mean to leave that acid on the floor last time, you know.” Gadget sighed, reconciling herself to it. “Well, it does make a good place to keep all my spare parts in.” Chip signaled for a break in the action. “Let’s get going, everyone. I’m sure Detective Drake’s waiting for us. See you soon, Gadget.”

The Rangers save for Gadget and Eva went outside and chose a secluded path through the park. Near the fountain, they found a man and his dog. They were apparently enjoying a picnic lunch outside, but when Chip spoke to them, they both turned and faced him. Drake’s back was to the open area of the park now, so no one could notice that he was seemingly talking to the bushes. “Well, it’s about time! Me and Plato are already through all the sandwiches. Care for some egg salad?”

Dale was more than happy to oblige. One thing he liked about humans, big portions. Before he could jump in, Chip thwarted him. After all, Gadget had asked him to make sure Dale didn’t snack on missions. “Thanks, Drake, but we just ate,” Chip said, absorbing Dale’s glare. “What’s the news?”

“It’s just a friendly warning at the moment, but I thought you should know I stopped by the police station and they mentioned that a criminal busted out of Riker’s. It was Nimnul.” Dale looked up from his egg salad—he’d managed to sneak a bite—in surprise. “Nimnul! Aw man, I hope he’s not going to mess around. Gadget’s gonna have the twins any time now!”

“Well, like I say, it’s just a friendly warning. I wanted to let you guys know this way, because Nimnul might tap your line to find out what we’re up to. He hasn’t turned up yet and may have fled the country for all I know. I’m going to keep my peepers peeled for him, though.” Drake turned his attention to Dale. “You say Gadget’s about to deliver? And you’re sure you’re the father—no, never mind. I don’t wanna hear all that explanation again. Besides, there’s something else. Plato here’s about to have his twelfth birthday at the end of the month and you’re all invited.”

“Including Miss Gadget, if she can make it,” Plato added.

Chip was glad to hear some good news with the bad, but the bad held his first attention. “Do they know how he escaped? Alone, or did he have inside or outside help?” Plato grimaced, his eyes uncertain. “There’s not much to go on at the moment, Chip. The report simply recorded the breakout. If you want the full story, you can come with us when we visit Riker’s once this meeting’s adjourned.”

“Okay, we’re ready whenever you are,” Chip said. Monty pumped his fists in a boxing fashion. “Yeah, let’s get that loony locked up again as soon as possible!” Drake was glad to have them along. “All right, but keep under cover. I know most folks can’t see you guys like you really are, but I’d have a hard time explaining you if you’re spotted in the prison.”

After some quick preparation, the ensemble left for Riker’s Island prison. With the possibility of humans noticing them increased, they decided that Chip and Dale would go with Drake and the others would wait for them at the docks. The munks followed the ferry to Riker’s Island in the RangerPlane and they landed out of sight away from the main gate.

Drake waited for them while he asked to see the warden. They were old friends, so it was no problem getting in. Chip and Dale were ignored but kept to the shadows as Drake and Plato entered through the multiple gates that led to the warden’s office. They took up residence within easy earshot as the warden rose from his chair to shake Drake’s hand.

“Well, if it ain’t old Forty-Five Drake!” the warden said, getting out of his chair. “Still carrying that old piece around, and did I hear right that you’re a gumshoe now?”

“Yeah, Vince, I couldn’t stand retirement. That’s for old folks. I got a lotta good years of detective work to go yet. So, I hear Nimnul’s been trouble.”

Vince showed Drake to a beat-up but comfortable leather chair. “Trouble? A pain in the patootie’s more like it! Here we had him in isolation locked down—or so we thought. This morning, Kyle…you remember Kyle, don’tcha? He’s the one that plays the harmonica and spits uncontrollably sometimes. Well, Kyle was doing the morning cell check when he comes to Nimnul’s room and the guy doesn’t get up! Kyle yells at his bed, but nothing. He figured maybe Nimnul was faking being sick. Remember the time Nervous Haskins tried the sick routine and ended up halfway to Chicago? Well, Kyle remembered it too so he gets some muscle and they open the cell. They check the bed. Nothin’!”

Vince shook his head in disbelief. “I tell ya, Drake, I’ve seen it all now. This guy gets out of a straightjacket—we know because he left it behind—out of his cell, through six checkpoints and over the wall and no one sees or hears nothin’! Now how do you explain that one?”

“Haven’t a clue,” Drake said, pushing his fedora back on his head. “I’ve tangled with that nut Nimnul and I know how slippery he can be. Since your boys have already gone over the room for evidence, would you mind if I had a look?” Vince stood up. “Help yourself. If you find anything, let me know because I’ve already had one major chewing-out from the mayor and the governor. It ain’t helping my good conduct record to have an escape like this on my watch. If you could sniff him out, it might just save my butt and my pension.”

“We’ll find him, don’t worry about that. He may be a genius, but he always makes a mistake.”

“Yeah, and in this case the mistake was getting the best nose for crime in the business on his six. Thanks Drake. This’ll make us even for that slug in my leg I took for you back in ‘83. Whatever happened to that Fingers guy, anyway? He couldn’t have gone back into the diamond-cutting business after that, what with his hands all busted up when that safe door smashed them.”

Drake grinned, thinking back on the case. “Well, ‘Lefty’ Fingers is a consultant to a big insurance firm; he goes in and evaluates security systems, makes about a hundred grand a year.” Vince threw back his head, laughing. “Ha, figures! Great seeing you again, Drake. Just tap Bob outside and he’ll show you Nimnul’s old cell.”

Drake followed Vince’s instructions and the guard led him to Nimnul’s cell. When he was alone, he looked around for his friends, whispering. “Chip, Dale? You guys still with me?”

“We’re under the bunk, looking for clues,” Chip whispered back. “Go ahead and check out the rest of the cell.” Man and animals searched the room thoroughly, but all they found was Nimnul’s empty straitjacket, a food tray with the food half-eaten, and a stack of old newspapers.

Drake sat down on the bunk and helped Chip and Dale up, where they joined him in thinking. “There’s nothing in here that he could’ve used to escape with,” Chip said. “How could he have gotten out of the straitjacket, Detective Drake? He’s no escape artist.”

“Well, he might’ve had some kind of outside contingency plan to help him escape. But he’d have to be pretty slippery to break out of here with no witnesses.”

Dale covered himself with a part of the bed sheet. “Maybe he turned invisible or something!” Drake half-smiled, appreciating Dale’s antics. “Well, however he did it, I’m guessing it wasn’t an ordinary escape.” Chip didn’t like it at all. “Who knows what devices he’s come up with since the last time we’ve tangled with him.”

“He’s been in jail though, ever since the giant spider,” Dale reminded him. “He couldn’t have invented anything new, so it’d have to be something he already had around, I guess. Maybe someone smuggled in the Gigantico gun—nah, that would’ve shrunk the straitjacket, too. Gotta be something else.”

Chip had a sudden thought. “Drake, did they check the security tape? Maybe it would have something.” Drake looked down at his rodent counterpart. “They said there was nothing on the tape, but let’s see if we can see anything.”

“Right!”

Drake and the munks headed for Vince’s office, and it was no problem getting the tapes in question. Left alone in a room adjacent to the main security room, he and the boys were able to watch the tape without interruption. The video showed the main hallway, outside of Nimnul’s cell. Dale pointed at the screen. “Hey, this reminds me of this neato sci-fi movie, ‘Attack of the Mutant Blood-Sucking Leeches’! They invaded this prison and waited until lights-out and then began entering cells and...”

“What’s that?” Chip interrupted, pointing to the screen. Drake paused the tape. “Did you see something?” Chip had Drake run the tape back, and Chip leaned close to the screen. “It looks like two rats in hats and dark suits, carrying a metal danish.”

“Whoa, let me see!” Dale said, barging right in front of Chip. “On DarkWing Duck one time, they had these hats that weren’t hats but were aliens and they took over bodies just by jumping on their heads! Then the animals and people they took over would eat metal. Run it back again! Was that rat wearing a fedora? Check it for eyes!”

Chip crossed his arms. “Dale, focus, focus! This is Nimnul we’re dealing with. You’ve seen those devices before, remember?” Dale calmed down, then looked at the image and rubbed his chin. “Sorry, Chip. Okay, let’s see. It looks like, uh...” Dale could hear the Jeopardy music playing in his head. “Like...the metamorphicizer!”

Drake sighed, sinking into his chair. “Oh yeah, I remember Nimnul’s ditzy nephew showing me about that thing. Great, the one thing that could make that guy more annoying—a shape changer!” Drake returned to the tape and they watched again. The detective realized exactly why the humans hadn’t seen the escape, since their thinking would’ve filtered out the animals. Nothing more happened on the tape until later when Nimnul’s cell door was opened again. Then they saw three small rodents leaving, the strange device wrapped around the midsection of one of them.

“And there Nimnul goes, right under the noses of the guards,” Drake groaned. “Hiding in plain sight. But wait, I thought Nimnul hated animals with a passion. Why would he get help from them to escape?”

“Yeah, Chip. He calls us ‘vermin’ and all sorts of names,” Dale said. Chip sat and watched while Drake re-ran the video. “It doesn’t add up. Nimnul wouldn’t go to animals for help. But maybe animals would come to him for help, if they needed him.”

Drake frowned. “Isn’t that a big no-no in the animal world? I mean, we went through all that rigmarole with that human-animal Council. Even for evil animals that seems like a dangerous risk.”

“It’s risky, all right,” Chip said, turning it over in his mind. “Okay, let’s assume for the moment that it is animals. We can scratch Fat Cat off that list, because he hasn’t been seen in months. Rat Capone wouldn’t have the resources to do it. There are a few more possibilities, but it’ll take time to check them out.”

Detective Drake glanced down at his faithful dog. “Plato, do you think their trail’s still fresh enough to find where they went?” Plato nibbled on his lower lip, then answered. “Maybe. It’s been nearly two days, so the trail will have deteriorated. I’ll give it my best.”

“Okay, pal, do your thing.”

The group returned to Nimnul’s cell, where Plato sniffed the area just outside of it. Meanwhile, Chip and Dale scoured the cell one more time. Chip had just finished going over a wall with his magnifying glass when he looked up to find Dale going through the newspapers, giggling. Chip marched over. “Dale, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Catchin’ up on my intellectual side! You never know when Beetle Bailey or Zits might gave us a critical clue!” Dale remarked. For the first time in a couple of years, Chip felt like bonking him. However, his attention wandered to the page opposite the comics. “Hey, what’s this?”

Chip found that a very thin circle had been drawn around a particular picture and story:

New York – Dr. Lyle Weynard, head of the Smithsonian Institute’s Linguistics Division, reported a find of historical import today.

In cooperation with New York’s Museum of Natural History, Dr. Weynard put on display a small sandstone tablet, which he estimated to be some 3,500 years old.

“This tablet adds to our understanding of a scribe in antiquity known to us only as Abari,” Dr. Weynard said. “This comes from Egypt’s Second Intermediate period, and once translated will enlighten us further as to that time.”

Dr. Weynard added that the author known as Abari wrote in the ancient language of Cuneiform. He estimated that an accurate translation could be a matter of several months.

“Chip, Dale, c’mon,” Drake said from outside the cell. “Plato’s got something.”

Chip carefully creased the paper and tore it, then folded and stuffed the clipping into his jacket pocket. The munks followed Drake and Plato through several twists and turns, the scent trail finally going up the wall and heading for an airshaft that led to the outside. They reconvened outside and after checking a few of the ventilation ports they found that one near the corner of the outer wall sported the rodents’ scent. The trail led to the beach, where they found a group of mice and clams that had made a home for themselves there.

When they saw Drake, the mice and clams were petrified with fear. Chip looked up at Drake. “Let us take the lead with this. We might get more out of them.” Drake did so, walking off a short distance and pretending not to notice the animals. He stayed within earshot and began picking up shells like a collector.

Once the animals saw the human wasn’t attacking and didn’t seem to see them they relaxed. A seedy-looking old sea mouse sidled up by Chip. “Soo, ye’re out fer a little ex-cur-sion, are ye? Barnacle Bill and his mates don’t take to being dis-turbed.”

“Forgive us, sir, “Chip started, “We’re not here to disrupt your work. We would just like to ask you a few questions.” Barnacle Bill eyed them suspiciously. “If ye must then. But pay heed t’be quick about it!”

“We’d like to know if you recall seeing several suspicious rats entering or leaving the island two days ago.”

Barnacle Bill chewed on a piece of cooked squid. “Sus-pic-ious? Look around, lubber. Everyone here’s sus-pi-cious.” One of the crowd, a young crab, came forward. “Sir, if I might...”

“No talking out o’ turn, Ernie!” Barnacle Bill growled.

“But sir, we did see...”

Barnacle Bill turned back to Chip, eyeing him watchfully. “Aye, Ern here did see something, but why for should he tell you?” Chip thought fast. “Can we come to some kind of arrangement?” Barnacle’s eyelids narrowed. “What ar-range-ment did ye have in mind, laddy buck?”

“How about you tell us what we want to know, and I won’t get mad?” Barnacle and the others turned around and came face-to-shoe with Drake. He’d chosen his moment then closed the distance on them so quickly they’d been caught off-guard. “The ruddy human understood me!” Barnacle exclaimed. Drake crouched down, pointing an angry finger at the sea mouse. “That’s right. So tell us, Billy Boy, who’s been lurking around?”

Barnacle shook in his boots. “Uh, there be three of ‘em, shore-rats by the look. They come through, pushed off on a skiff and left quick. One of them sounded like he’d been through one too many squalls. Kept yellin’ about vermin and such.” Chip felt instantly gratified. “Was anyone here out on the water that night? Did anyone see what happened on the other shore, after they landed?”

“I went over a few minutes after,” Ernie said, not taking his eyes off of Drake. “They got off at the main docks, and looked to be heading into the city. The one Barnacle talked about was dragging his feet half the time. I think he didn’t know where he was going.”

“Did anything else happen? Did they meet anyone?”

“I didn’t stick around. I had my own business to see to. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. Uh, if you want I guess I could show you where I saw them get off.”

“That would be great!” Chip said. “Take us there please.”

Ernie led them to a small boat he owned, and once the munks arranged to meet later with Drake, they set sail. Even in a rodent-sized boat, the trip didn’t take too long. Soon they arrived at the docks, and Ernie pulled up to an old barnacle-encrusted pier. “Here’s where they left. Maybe someone else on this side saw something.”

“Thanks, Ernie. We owe you,” Chip said, shaking the crab’s claw.

Chip and Dale met up with the other Rangers, informing them of what they’d learned, then searched the area for likely suspects. Suddenly a pleasant-sounding female voice caught Chip’s ear. “Chip? Chip, is that you?” Chip turned around to find a professionally-dressed chipmunk, holding a pad and pencil. She sported a finely-coiffed blonde hairdo, and was quite the looker. “It’s me, Valerie Valardi! You know, the one that all the boys back in school called ‘stringbean’?”

Chip was trying to place her, but mainly he was caught off-guard by such a pretty chipmunk being someplace like this. Thankfully he remembered his wife was with him—the low growl right behind him did the trick. “Sorry, I only vaguely remember you. How are you doing? And more to the point, what are you doing here?” Valerie walked right over, eagerly shaking Chip’s hand. “If you’ll look behind you, you’ll see the reason.” Chip did so, and noticed a rodent-sized cruise ship coming into harbor.

“That’s the Atlantic Queen,” Valerie explained, “the newest addition to the Festiva Cruise Lines. I’m the ship’s cruise director, and I’ve been down here making arrangements for her to dock in port. I do look sort of out of place, don’t I?” Chip gestured at the area around them. “But this is the seedy harbor area. How are you going to handle that?”

“Festiva’s trying to buy the harbor and revitalize it. That’s why I’ve been down here the last few days. The locals are really suspicious of outsiders, and my boss was hoping that my appearance might get me in the door. So far it’s worked, but we do have a lot of work ahead of us because everyone and anyone seems to use these docks. Some of the wharf rats were telling me there was even a group of rats a few nights back that made a real disturbance.”

**Thank goodness for chance meetings** “It just so happens we’re looking for someone who might know of that disturbance. Perhaps you could introduce us?”

Valerie was confused but nodded slowly. “Well sure, I guess. Why would you want to know about that?” Chip pointed to his companions, noting that Lahwhinie’s eyelids had narrowed considerably. “We’re working on a case.”

“You are?” Valerie said, totally surprised. “I didn’t know you were a detective! The last I heard, you were thinking about becoming a lawyer. That was quite a while ago, though. Say, who’re your friends?” Chip motioned the others forward. “This is Dale, Monterey Jack, Honey, Zipper, and my wife Lahwhinie. We’re all Rescue Rangers.” Valerie’s attention went up a good deal at the mention of the name. “Rescue Rangers? Why, I’ve heard a good deal about that group! Seems like they’re always doing something good and...”

Valerie turned back to Chip. “You mean you’re the Chip who’s the Chip that leads the Rescue Rangers?” Chip pulled on his jacket lapels. “Yep, the one and only. I haven’t done too bad for myself over the years.”

“I should say so! Oh, this is perfect! I can just see it—‘spend a weekend celebrity cruise with the Rescue Rangers’. It’d be a big draw! C’mon, I’ll take you down to the wharf and we can discuss it further. Here’s my card.” Chip took it hesitantly, not wanting to provoke Lahwhinie. However, she snatched the card from his hand, her demeanor seemingly changed entirely. “Thank you, honey! We were just thinking about going on a vacation.”

Chip leaned over to her, whispering, as they followed Valerie. “We weren’t planning on any vacation.”

“Ix-nay, Chip, ix-nay!” Lahwhinie said. “I smell a deal here. We could get to take all of our vacations for free if we play our cards right.”

Chip didn’t like the idea, but there were more important things to consider at the moment. When they reached the wharf, Valerie introduced them to Largo, a large rat who seemed to take in everything around him. “So, you want to know about the disturbance.” Chip was glad Valerie, Honey and Lahwhinie were there, because this rat seemed like the type who only behaved when ladies were present. “Yes, we were told that some rats went between the island and this dock. We’d like to hear more about them.”

“Not much to tell, really,” Largo said, using the cut-off end of a toothpick on his teeth. “They disembarked, tied up the boat and walked right for us. Didn’t like the look of them, so I decided to spotlight the lot. I turned on my flashlight, and one of them says, ‘turn off that annoying light, you filthy disgusting vermin!’. We don’t need much more reason than that to create a...disturbance.”

Chip smiled inwardly, imagining what had to follow. “Do you know what happened to them after they saw you?” Largo threw the toothpick away. “We trashed ‘em, and threw ‘em into the garbage. After a while, they left and headed into town I think.” Largo pulled out a matchbook to light his pipe with. “Oh, and one of them dropped this.” Largo handed the matchbook to Chip, who found the cover had the letters “RC” printed on it in a fancy red neon bulb pattern over a black background.

“Thanks,” Chip said, pocketing the matchbook. “Is there anything else you can tell us? Anything at all?”

Largo thought for a minute. “Heard ‘em talking before I spotlighted ‘em. Said something about a date with twin somethings. I didn’t catch it all. That’s about it.”

“Thanks, Largo. You’ve been a big help. Nice to see you again, Valerie, but duty calls.”

Valerie wasn’t going to let a possible gravy train get away that easy. “Oh, wait! Can I call you about this cruise deal later? We’re always looking for celebrity sponsors. It’d be a free cruise...”

“Free? Ya mean with shuffleboard and everything?” Dale asked.

Valerie sensed progress. “Sure! Think about it, Chip, and let me know!”

Lahwhinie’s smile reached from ear to ear. “Don’t you worry, honey, we’ll be certain to get back in touch.” Chip caught hold of his wife’s arm. “We’ll take a rain check on the cruise. There’s too much going on at the moment.” Lahwhinie caught the look in Chip’s eyes, and then remembered they did have bigger responsibilities. “Oh yeah, the mission and all. Sorry, maybe next time.”

Valerie looked disappointed, but she was not the kind to let it beat her. “Tell you what—I’ll check back with you when things are less hectic. I’ve got to do lunch with the dock master. Bye!” Dale waved goodbye to her. “Wow, she sure is friendly. Why don’t you remember her, Chip?”

“I don’t know,” Chip said, musing. “I didn’t really like any of our classmates, so there’s no real reason to have remembered them. Don’t you remember her?”

“I was too scared of girls to remember!” Dale said. “I was the munk who ate in the bathroom to avoid ‘em, remember?” Chip had to chuckle a little at that. “Well, we’ve both grown a bit since then, I guess. Oh well, come on Dale, the game’s afoot!”

“This ain’t Baskerville Hall, Chip—no foot games here. And shouldn’t we tell Detective Drake about what we found first?”

Chip let it go. “Good point. We need to track down this matchbook clue.”

Chapter 2 – Double Trouble and the Wonders of a Good Foot Massage

The Rangers traveled with Ernie back to Riker’s Island. They agreed to meet up again at Drake’s office to talk in private, and Chip piloted the RangerPlane there. Drake studied the rodent-sized matchbook with his magnifying glass. “RC. Doesn’t mean anything to me but the soft drink. You guys know anything that fits the bill?”

Dale thought hard. “Hey, maybe Fat Cat changed his name to “Rotund Cat” and he’s starting up a new casino or something!” Chip didn’t even turn around. “Well, it could be the Ritz-Carlton, but I’ve never seen a matchbook from their animal annex. Wait, of course!”

“Of course!” Dale echoed! “Uh, of course what?”

“RC! Whose initials do we know that start with RC?”

Dale thought again. “Raymond Chandler?”

“Think again.”

“Roy Clark?”

“Dale…” Chip pointed to a picture of a gangster on Drake’s wall. Dale lit up immediately. “Pretty Boy Floyd!” Chip threw his fedora down. “I give up! Does the name Rat Capone mean anything to you?” Dale paused, then nodded. “Yeah, it means trouble with a capital ‘T’. Oh, and Chip?”

“Yeah?”

“Jus’ funning!”

Chip couldn’t believe it, and Drake just laughed at Dale’s antics. “You really had ‘im going, Dale! So Chip, who’s this Rat Capone fella?” Chip reclaimed his fedora. “Dale’s right, he’s trouble. He’s a gangster rat who robs for a living and tends to make life miserable for anyone around him.” Chip pocketed the matchbook again. “If these are his initials, then we need to see what he’s up to.”

Dale didn’t know if he liked that idea. “Do you think it’s a good idea just rushing into this? I mean, we shouldn’t be taking any risks we don’t need to take.” Chip looked at his old friend, puzzled. “What’s gotten into you, Dale? You’re always up for the adventure of a case. What are you worried about?”

“He’s worried that Gadget’s going to be a widow and his kids won’t know what their father looked like,” Lahwhinie said. Chip looked over at Dale and the red-nosed munk nodded. Even though Chip knew that Dale had become more responsible, this surprised him. “Dale, I didn’t realize you felt that way. Do you want to stay with Gadget while the others and I work on this one?” Dale put his hands on either side of his head, trying to force a decision out of it. “Yes... no...I don’t know! I don’t want to leave you guys short-handed.”

“Well, with Drake and Plato here helping us we’ve got a lot more muscle than usual,” Chip said. “I think we can spare you.” Dale’s loyalty rose up inside. “No, I can’t leave you guys; responsibility means putting others first. I can’t let you guys down!” Monty put a meaty hand on the munk’s shoulder. “Dale, your first responsibility is to your wife and kids. We all knew going in that starting a family would mean extra responsibility. If you’re out here and your heart’s back with Gadget, your attention’s going to be split! You know that’s dangerous. Follow your heart, lad. Get my daughter through this.”

“You’re right, Monty,” Dale said, then turned to his leader. “I’m sorry I let you down, Chip.”

Chip put a hand on Dale’s shoulder. “You didn’t let me down! How could you think that, when you’re living up to your responsibilities? Our job’s to help people, and right now the people you need to help are back at Headquarters.” It was times like this when Dale was truly grateful to have Chip Maplewood for a friend. “Thanks, Chip. Maybe I can find some way to help you at HQ, or maybe Gadget can tell me how to build stuff you need.”

“You just concentrate on being a husband and father for right now. Gadget needs you. Hopefully, this case won’t take too long and we’ll all be free for when the kids come.”

“I’ll be with you in spirit, Chip.”

Possibly the oldest joke in the world is calling someone and pretending to be held prisoner in a Chinese laundry. Strangely enough, for a certain mad scientist that really disliked the Rescue Rangers, he was in that predicament for real. Norton Nimnul had been a guest of dishonor at Riker’s Island in their funny farm section for the past year, but no longer. He’d gone to sleep in his 8-by-10 cell, complete with padding and straitjacket, and he’d awakened to find himself between two large rats, clad in suits. To his utter shock, he soon discovered he was a rat as well, and they escorted him from the prison to the Chinese laundry where they reversed the process.

Now he was dressed in an Oriental outfit and standing in what appeared to be an audience room. Two identical-looking Siamese cats, also dressed in Oriental clothing, sat on red velvet cushions and stared at him speculatively. The samurai cats that surrounded Nimnul bowed to them, which Nimnul found strange. He noticed other cats attending the Twins, coming in and out of the room. Despite his protests—which didn’t amount to much since his mouth was taped over—the cats waited until they were ready to address him. At a signal from one of them, the samurai on Nimnul’s left ripped the masking tape from his face, taking a few moustache hairs with it

“Yeeouch!!! Watch the mustache, you fiend!” Then Nimnul suddenly remembered the Siamese cats. “Augh, evil kitties!! What do you want? Why am I here? I hate cats! I hate animals! ”

“Silence!” the cats said, simultaneously.

Nimnul blinked, realizing he’d understood them. “Evil talking kitties, double aughhh!!!”

One of the feline samurai bonked Nimnul on the head, and that did manage to calm him some, not to mention make him see a few stars that weren’t on any of the charts. The cats narrowed their eyes, talking at the same time. “Allow us to introduce to introduce ourselves. We are Ting and Tang Sukahara.”

Tang continued before Nimnul could reply. “We knew you would be able to understand us, purrfessor. We have kept up with your...encounters with the Rescue Rangers, and despite what the humans believe you are quite sane, if eccentric. There are very few people in the world who keep their belief in being able to speak to animals intact when they reach adulthood. Obviously you have, and that is one of the reasons we have recruited you.”

“Why can I understand animals now?” Nimnul asked. “I didn’t before I was in jail, except for that time I was a human fly! Unless...my talks with Detective Drake forced me to remove my own self-imposed mental blocks against my innate ability to communicate with your kind...”

“Ah, that is most likely,” Ting said. “Still, we know from your so-called ravings that you could already see animals as they were, so you did not have far to go. Genji, release him.”

The samurai on Nimnul’s right unsheathed his katana, and in one lightning stroke the bonds holding his hands together fell off the gaping professor. “As my sister was saying, we recruited you as an ally,” Tang said. “We need your unique talents to ensure our rise to power. We can offer you several advantages for your cooperation.”

That wasn’t exactly top priority on Nimnul’s list. “Work for icky, stinky animals! Never! I’m top of the food chain here, ladies. You should be working for me!”

“We are the power the power here, purrfessor! Or do you need a demonstration a demonstration of that?” the Twins said. Two samurai began to unsheathe their swords, the look in their eyes not pleasant. Nimnul had a sudden change of heart. “Well, uh, I suppose as a gesture of interspecies good will I could put aside my deep and abiding hatred of animals for the time being. What do you want me to do for you?”

Tang smiled, and on a cat that’s never pretty. “Ah, arigato, Nimnul-san. We knew you would be cooperative eventually.” Nimnul’s brow furled in confusion. “Wait, you’re Siamese cats, but you’re speaking Japanese?” Ting grinned in reply. “We were born in Burma, but raised in Japan. Enough questions—we are interested in antiquities, purrfessor. We have acquired information on a certain tablet now residing in our fair city’s natural history museum.” Nimnul raised an eyebrow. “And what do I look like? A pickpocket?” The cats both grinned now. “We did not request your presence to steal the tablet steal the tablet, Nimnul-san. We have someone else in mind for that.”

The cats snapped their fingers, and an Australian jumping mouse dressed in a black safari outfit appeared, his features sharp and speaking of the disciplined mind contained within. “This is Donovan, the boss of the rats who escorted you from your cell.” Tang explained. “You might say his particular talents are for hire. He will bring us the tablet, but then you will have a job to do.”

“And just what is that, as if I cared,” Nimnul said.

“The tablet is written in Cuneiform, a hard language to decipher. That is not the primary problem, however. The tablet contains spatial coordinates that will pinpoint a certain location on the planet’s surface. We want you to determine what that location is,” Tang said.

Nimnul snorted. “So all I have to do is determine the modern equivalent of an ancient coordinate system, ascertain the time the tablet was written, and match the position of the relevant stellar bodies in relation to a certain spot on Earth? And here I thought you wanted something difficult.”

“How perceptive perceptive!” the Twins replied. “Let us say, we require the need of your special talents, for which you will be well compensated.” Nimnul sensed the chance for gain. “How?”

The Twins made a gesture to one of the samurai, who left then returned with two cats who carried a box filled with gold coin. Nimnul wasn’t impressed. “Money? Is that all?”

“Perhaps you need a greater incentive?” Tang asked. “We could aid you in rebuilding your laboratory, and then there the Rescue Rangers of course.”

“The vermin!” Nimnul shouted, clenching his fists. Tang’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “So, you wish revenge on these rodents?”

“Of course, you stupid feline...uh, ma’am.”

Tang brought out one set of her long, sharp claws but did nothing yet. “We could arrange for you to see to their final demise, at the proper time. At the moment, you must consider our need as the top priority. If you succeed, you will be rewarded. If you fail, it would be...disappointing. We have a lab prepared for you that no one will locate, stocked with all the equipment you will need. You have one week to complete your task, once Donovan delivers the tablet.”

“One week!” Nimnul protested, then thought better of it. “Uh well, I uh, better get started then. I’m really gonna get to see the vermin die?”

“If that is your wish,” Ting said. “They are a minor inconvenience to us, and we intend for them to remain so. Sayonara for now, Nimnul-san. If you succeed, the demise of the Rangers will be only the first of many triumphs for you.” Nimnul thought about that new lab and the Rangers and rubbed his hands with glee. “Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Or in this case, if you can’t beat ‘em, you’ll have to work for them or they’ll kill you.”

The Twins laughed heartily. “You catch on quickly quickly, Nimnul-san. Follow the guards, and they will escort you escort you to your new secret laboratory. All your needs will be provided for. Just remember remember that we do not take treachery lightly.”

“Well, if you give me what I want I’ll give you what you want,” Nimnul said jovially. “I can even make you some tinfoil hats that will inhibit that creepy connection you two have so you won’t repeat each other’s sentences!”

Dale shook Chip’s hand, spoke a few words of encouragement to the others, and left the docks for home. It wasn’t easy for the munk to retire from the field before a mission was over, and Chip knew that. Gadget knew it as well, which is why she’d never have asked him to do that—even though she hoped he would. When Dale came upstairs to the lair, the look on his face told her everything.

Gadget motioned him over. “Dale, I know you probably didn’t think about this consequence when you agreed to marry me. Still, if you don’t mind my saying so, I’m grateful that I married a munk who I knew would look after me in the tough times as well as the good. Thank you.”

Dale sat on the edge of the bed and hugged her. “Thanks, Gadget. I know I made the right choice, but part of me feels like pond scum.” Gadget gently cupped his face in her hands. “I know. You feel guilty leaving the others to take up the slack. But Dale, any of them can do the job of being a Rescue Ranger. Only Dale Oakmont can do the job of being my husband and the father of my children! We’ve got a lot to do yet before the kids get here. We still need to make this place infant-safe, for one.”

“Yeah,” Dale said, switching into father mode. “Even with Colby around, there’s still a lot of potential danger lurking around HQ. We should ask Donna to give the place another ‘mom approved’ inspection.” Gadget walked over to the table in the middle of the room and sat down, where she had a notepad handy. “Okay, I’ll make sure to call her. Dale, should we make the nursery in here or in the gym? I know how you love fencing, but I was thinking that the gym might would be a little more convenient for us.”

“Yeah, that’d be a good idea. It’s quiet and snug in there, and I don’t have to hide anymore so I can just use the gym downstairs for fencing. But for the first few months we’ll probably need to have the kids in the room with us.”

“I agree,” Gadget said. “The bedroom’s small, but we can manage it. I’ve already built the baby monitors, so they’ll wake us up if either one has a problem. They have a built-in life monitor, so anything out of the ordinary will register. I don’t intend to take any chances.”

Dale decided to bring up another subject. “Gadget, my folks and I have been talking lately about the kids. Well, they said they’re considering getting a tree very close to Ranger HQ and my mom said she’s probably going to retire early so that she can help us look after the kids so we can do Ranger work without having to hunt for a babysitter.” Gadget blinked in surprise. “Really, Dale? Gosh, that’s very nice of them! But that’s a lot to ask. I won’t want to leave the kids with anyone for a few months or so at least. I want to make sure everything goes just right for them, and that they don’t end up like...well...”

“Like what?” Dale asked.

Gadget looked away. “I don’t want this to sound wrong, but like Lahwhinie. I mean, I don’t want either of them to not be raised right or fall into the wrong hands. Not that they would, but when I saw how different Lahwhinie turned out from me, I learned that a lot of it was due to how she was raised. I realized then just how big a responsibility you and I have to these kids. Don’t tell mom or Lahwhinie about what I said, though!”

“I won’t tell a soul,” Dale promised. “Don’t worry Gadget. If, God forbid, anything ever happened to us, there’s an army of family that would raise them right. That’s one thing we don’t have to worry about.”

“Well, you’re right there. I know that Chip and Lahwhinie would see to them, and likely mom and dad would raise them as their own. I guess I’m just a little scared of it all.”

Dale took her hand. “Me too. I’m so scared I’m practically numb.”

“You are? It doesn’t show.”

“I’ve had lots of practice keeping my real feelings hidden,” Dale said, smiling sullenly. Gadget covered his other hand with hers. “And men don’t like to show fear. We’ll both have to be brave for the next month or so. I hope they come soon. I’m starting to feel like an over-ripened watermelon!” Dale raised her hand, kissing it. “You’re the most lovely over-ripened watermelon to ever grace the face of the earth.”

Gadget blushed and grinned. “Oh Dale, I bet you say that to all the over-ripened watermelons. But thank you. Thanks for everything.” Gadget maneuvered and managed to kiss him, then Dale looked at the large crib they had set up in the bedroom. Neutral colors until they were certain about the gender of the children. “I never thought I’d be at this threshold of life—a role model, a mentor, a dad, just like my dad. Soon the curse will be upon us...”

“Curse? What do you mean?” Gadget asked, concerned.

“The curse that all parents put on their children. You know, ‘when you have kids I hope they act just like you did’.”

Gadget was suddenly relieved. “Oh, whew! I thought you were going to say you had some kind of weird family curse that crops up every few generations or something. Well, my understanding is that with two children, one emulates the father and one the mother.” Dale smiled. “Boy, are we in for some trouble.”

Gadget grinned back. “Why? Don’t think you could handle a son or daughter who’s an obsessive inventor and has a mind-bashingly high I.Q.?”

“That I could probably handle. It’s the one that takes after me that would be the problem! Or what if they have mixed abilities; imagine the carnage a practical joker with a mind-bashingly high I.Q. could do! The world trembles at the very thought!”

Gadget chuckled at her husband’s all-too-vivid imagination. “Hmm...I suppose that’s possible. I guess we’ll have to keep a close eye on the both of them. Were you a lot of trouble for your folks, growing up?” Dale shrugged. “Not at home, but at school and around anyone else I usually cut loose with the wacky stuff.” Gadget patted Dale on the shoulder. “If they’re like you, you’ll know what to look for anyway. Hopefully, we can point their talents in good directions. Well, I think I’d better take a load off and rest this afternoon. If you want, you could go with Eva. She’s going to look for some supplies for the kids. I figure we’d better have everything in place before they get here.”

“I’d rather stay here with you and the kids. Otherwise I’ll feel bad about leaving the case and leaving you too.”

“Okay,” Gadget said, then she took on an apologetic look. “Um, would you mind doing something for me, then?” Dale leaped to his feet and saluted. “Of course, Gadget!” Gadget pointed downward. “My feet are swelling again. Would you mind rubbing them for me?” Dale smiled and sat next to Gadget, putting her feet on his lap and began rubbing them. “Anything for you.”

Gadget sighed in relief. “Don’t stop…ever.”

Chapter 3 – A New Friend, an Old Enemy

Not too far away, a small secluded clubhouse echoed from inside with the laughter of children. The clubhouse was Theo’s technically, but he shared it equally with Bink and with a friend he’d made at school. This friend, a boy rat who went by the name Rhett, had been a typical loner until Theo had come to his school. They’d both found common interests, and when Rhett had learned that Theo was the adopted son of Chip Maplewood, his interest had skyrocketed.

Today they were enjoying the simple fun of each other’s company. The two boys were playing at spies, with Theo taking on the role of Jake Stone while the brown-haired and stocky rat was his trusty sidekick Vince Virtuous. At the moment, they were facing down the notorious Professor Vile and his evil minion Walrus Man. Theo aimed his trusty plunger pistol at a crude mockup of the dastardly professor, while Rhett covered Walrus Man.

“Surrender, Vile!” Theo said, in the role of Jake. “No one defeats the team of Stone and Virtuous!” Rhett never took his eyes off the larger mockup. “You can say that again, Stone! And don’t think the Walrus is going to scare us!”

“Hey, what’s up!”

Bink had come in behind them and startled them both. They let their plungers fly, but they missed their respective targets—bull’s-eyes on the mockups. “Aw, now they got away!” Theo said, retrieving the plungers. “Well, evil will just have wait for another day to be defeated.”

Bink ignored their antics and addressed herself to Rhett. “Hey Rhett! I see Theo’s finally dragged you to the clubhouse. What do you think of it?” Rhett put his plunger pistol down on a nearby table. Even for a rat, he had a pleasant face, and the playacting had him in a good mood. “I think it’s pretty neat! Thanks for letting me see it. It’s always nice having a place to go to get away from things.”

“Yeah, and it’s cool having someone new to share it with and play games and all,” Theo said. “Think you can come tomorrow, too?” Rhett nodded. “I can always make the time. My life’s my own.” Bink was amazed at that concept. “Wow, wish I had that kind of free time! My mom makes me stay in for a half-hour when I get home from school and clean up the mess I left from the day previous. Sometimes I wish I just had my own place without any rules or anything.”

“Well, don’t be in a hurry to be on your own. Enjoy your family while you have it,” Rhett said.

Both Theo and Bink found that comment strange. “Guess it’s sort of tough for you at home, isn’t it,” Theo said. “Your dad doesn’t treat you rough, does he?” Rhett took a seat in a beat-up wooden chair. “Dad doesn’t treat me like anything. I’m in limbo—he knows I don’t want to follow in his footsteps, but he wants me to anyway.”

“You’d think he’d be glad if you tried something on your own,” Bink said. “What would you be if you could be anything you wanted?” Rhett merely shrugged. “I have no idea. All my effort is put into not being like him.” Rhett sighed, and his discontent spread to his friends. They understood like good friends do. Suddenly the sound of a voice echoing outside caught their attention.

“Aw, there’s dad,” Theo said. “I’ve got to get going.”

“Me too,” Bink added. “Mom’s taking me shopping. Good seeing you, Rhett. You gonna stick around?”

“I’ll hang around for a while, if you don’t mind,” Rhett said. Theo gave him a high-five. “Sure, no problem. You know where to leave the key. Hey, tomorrow maybe we can all play a round of Monopoly or something like that. Well, see you!”

Rhett watched them go, then settled down on the secondhand mattress in the clubhouse. The small room wasn’t much, but for a boy of twelve who had no other place to dream it was wonderful. Posters lined the walls, and various games and makeshift mechanisms, bits of junk and other such treasures lined its shelves. Rhett grabbed a book from the bookshelf and laid back, more than content to spend the afternoon in peace.

A sewer isn’t exactly the place where you’d expect anyone to be happy. Yet at least one denizen of the smelly surroundings was very pleased indeed. Rat Capone knew that he was by all accounts a small-time crook. Yes, he’d had his moments at times, but in the grand scheme he wasn’t quite in the league of a Fat Cat. And truth be told, he had accepted that idea. He made out well enough, and life was comfortable. However, that idea had now changed.

The rumors were flying since Fat Cat had vanished. His goon squad had essentially disbanded without its leader, and no one had stepped forward to take the conniving cat’s place. Now, the underworld animal element of the city was in disarray, and a strong presence would likely be accepted gladly. At least, that was what Rat had heard. He’d sent his own goons out to get more word, and now they were returning. The gangster was all ears.

“Hiya, boss!” Arnold Mouseneggar said, skipping into Rat’s headquarters like a little kid. “Wow, you shoulda been there! I was walkin’ cross the Brooklyn Bridge, when dese kids yells out like they’s falling? An’ the cops, they come runnin’ and the kids laugh and the cops chase ‘em! It was so funny!” Rat really wished he had another strong-mouse to do his work, but Arnold was the best he could buy for the moment. “I don’t care what no stinkin’ humans is doin’, you moron! What did you hear from the other gangs? What about Nimnul?”

“Uh, I checked all around. Dere ain’t nobody makin’ any moves, not even the Siamese Twins. I asked the Brooklyn gangs about it, and dey say that everybody’s kind of holding back, waitin’ to see what everyone else does. Da Nimnul guy up and disappeared like, after he got out.”

“That’s what I hear from Queens, too,” Sugar Ray said, entering. “Everyone’s laying low. There’s word of something in the works by somebody, but no solid news. Looks like the city’s ripe for a takeover, boss.” Rat sat down at a table with his weekly take on it and started counting. It was his way of allowing himself to think. “I woulda thought the Twins was goin’ to take over when fatso left the picture.”

“Me too, boss, but they don’t seem...you know, interested. I guess maybe they’s happy with what they got.”

Rat kept counting, not liking the situation. Someone had managed to bust Nimnul out, but so far the wacky scientist hadn’t re-emerged on the scene. It was unsettling, particularly considering Rat’s plans. “If no one’s gonna make a move, then it’s gonna be me! Since tubby’s no longer around, there’ll be no competition for my new casino—the Rat Castle.”

“Oh, goody!” Arnold said, clapping. “We gonna move on up, to the east side?”

Rat gave his goons their share of the loot. “Yeah, that’s just what we’re gonna do! Come on, we got a lot to do over at the warehouse.” Sugar Ray wasn’t so sure. “But Boss, that’s a mighty big pie you’re tryin’ to take a slice of. How’re we gonna do it?” Rat got in the lizard’s face. “Youse mugs don’t have half a brain between the lot of youse! We round up all the outta work muscle and no one will dare say nothin’!”

“Dere’s plenty of that around!” Arnold said. “Good thinkin’, boss. But uh, what about those Rescue guys? Dey beat Fat Cat, y’know.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I hear they’re tougher these days. What’ll we do about them?” Sugar Ray asked. Rat had thought about them, especially the one who’d carted him off to jail. “Let’s worry about one thing at a time. We’ll stake our claim, then worry about the law and the claim jumpers.”

“Stake a claim to what, dad?” A young rat appeared from a nearly room, coming out when he heard the conversation going on outside. The boy had some of Rat’s features, but he was decidedly more pleasant-looking, both in appearance and demeanor. Rat’s attitude changed entirely when he saw him, becoming almost jovial. “Son, we’re about to move outta this gutter and head to the top!” The youngster’s face showed how many times he’d heard that before. “Dad, what’s wrong with staying here? It’s not that bad, and the law doesn’t bother us. Why risk it for something that may get us all popped off?”

“It’s the big brass ring, son! Think of it, my own casino. The rubes are all up there for the taking, for anyone with the guts and nerve to do it. Besides, I already ordered the matchbooks,” Rat said, pulling one from his jacket to admire it.

“But dad, doesn’t that tell you something? It’s got to be dangerous.”

“Anything worth havin’ is dangerous, boy—food, dames, gold, power.”

The boy knew this side of his father, and knew what it usually led to. “You’re going do it no matter what I say, but just leave me out of it. When the other bosses hear that you’ve started a casino, they’ll probably raid the place in one big power play or something. I’d just as soon stay here with Vera.”

“Good thinkin’, son,” Rat said, not catching his meaning. “It’s too early ta get that involved in the family business.”

“No, I mean leave me out of it, period!” the boy said. “You’re going to wind up dead someday over it, and I want to make something of my life. If you want to go chase the brass ring, fine. Go ahead.” Rat was totally startled. “How can youse say that? That casino would put us on easy street. That’s the big time money! I could build an empire like you wouldn’t believe with the dough that place is gonna bring in.”

“You can have it. That kind of money’ll have you being the target of every big and small-time outfit in town. You’ll have to have bodyguards 24-7, and I’m not going to live that kind of life. It ain’t worth it!”

Rat stared the boy down, the first touch of true anger entering his voice. “You don’t have much choice, son. You’re Rat Capone Junior, and that’ll make you a target if you wander away from me! So face it, you need me.” The young rat pointed his index finger at his father as he spoke. “Don’t ever call me that! I’m not Rat Junior. I’m Rhett, and I’ll never walk in your dirty footsteps, not if I become a...well, not if they know I’m honest, anyway. Good night, pops.”

Rhett headed off, not wanting to give his dad any chance for a rebuttal. Rat just shook his head and sighed. “The kids these days. You give them everything they could want and they’re still not happy!” A female voice broke up his lament. “What’s that, Ratsie? Rhett on the warpath again?” Vera was Rat’s moll, a young and pretty mouse with short red hair, but actually more like a governess than a moll. She held a special place in Rat’s heart, and because of that he allowed her a lot of leeway, even letting her tend to her own brood of brothers and sisters when she was needed. “Don’t worry, he’s just growing up is all.”

“This ain’t yer business, dollface. This is family stuff. Rat Junior’s gotta learn his place in the world,” Rat said. Vera rubbed the outside edge of his ears in a playful way. “Oh, that’s what you always say. Want me to talk with him again?” Rat calmed down. “Might as well, Vera. See if you can talk some sense into his hard little noggin.”

Vera knocked and opened Rhett’s door. He hid something immediately, then was relieved to see it wasn’t his father at the door. “Oh, it’s you. Come on in, Vera. I’m just, uh, catching up on homework.” Vera smiled knowingly, and sauntered in. “You know you don’t have to hide anything from me. Save the secrets for your dad.” As soon as Vera shut the door, Rhett returned to what he’d hidden. It was a picture he’d found a frame for, taken of himself with Theo Maplewood and Bink Chesnutt. “If dad ever found out about how much I like Theo and Bink, he’d skin me alive. I almost freaked out there, Vera! I nearly told him that I wanted to become a Rescue Ranger. I think he’d have keeled over and died on the spot, just from the shock.”

“That’s one dream you better keep under your hat, Rhett,” Vera said. “He’s having enough trouble just coping with the idea that you don’t want to be the next crime boss of New York.” Rhett put the picture away and plopped down on the beat-up leather sofa next to Vera. “I know, and I’m scared that sooner or later I will slip up and he’ll find out. I’m thinking about leaving, Vera. I just can’t take being torn between dad and the Rangers like this much longer. I’m ashamed of my own name, and it’s not fair!”

“Life isn’t fair, Rhett—not to you, to me, or even your dad. We just stumble through the best we can. Where would you go, anyway? Your dad would find you, you know. You’re all he has; you’re his future. You mean the world to him.” Rhett crossed his arms. “Then why does he make me live like this? He knows I hate it! I’m not a crook, and I’m never going to be one! Couldn’t you help me, Vera? I bet you know someone who’d help me find a place until I can start earning some honest money.”

Vera patted him on the head. “Rhett, honey, you’re only twelve! You’d end up on the street in two shakes. I’ve been there, and it’s not something I’d wish on my worst enemy. You’ve got to stay here and try to make the best of it.”

“Best, right. At best, I’ll reach thirteen before my dad’s in the gutter and I’m there with him or he’s dead from someone taking from him what he’s about to take, if he can take it at all. I can see the handwriting on the wall as well as anyone. He’s been lucky so far, but sooner or later he’s gonna buy it and I’ll be alone anyway.”

Vera put a reassuring arm around Rhett’s shoulder. “You won’t be alone, Rhett. I’ll see too that.” Rhett leaned against Vera. He never allowed himself to cry, but he would lean on her to let her know how much he appreciated her. She was like the mother he’d never known. “Thanks, Vera. I guess you can tell dad I’m calmed down again for the moment.”

“Thanks, Rhett. I’ll do my best to keep the peace between you two. Keep your chin up. There’s bound to be a way out, for all of us.”

“That would take a miracle.” Rhett watched her leave. He’d stopped believing in miracles a long time ago. The environment he was in had a large role in that, and his father made up the rest. Rhett put his picture away, and with it his one dream in life. It probably wouldn’t happen, but at least it left him something to think about besides the life around him. The son of the most wanted gangster rat in town turned off his light and went to sleep.

Chapter 4 – Kiddie Talk, The Big Time, and One-Month Jitters

At Ranger Headquarters, the mood was mixed. The matchbook had led the Rangers nowhere so far, and Dale was doing his best not to make Gadget nervous while counting down the days until delivery. Theo Maplewood wasn’t thinking of either of those things at the moment, as he was in the middle of his algebra homework. He had a test coming up in a few days, and despite his loathing for the subject he knew he needed to do well or he’d never qualify for the junior varsity football team. “Why do math teachers always explain the simple problems in class and then give you the hard ones to do at home?”

Realizing that no one would be able to answer his rhetorical question, though millions of children had asked it previously, he decided to find someone to help him. He could think of no better person for that than Gadget, though he hoped it wouldn’t go the same way the last time she helped him. He’d asked for her help on his science project involving making a chemical battery, and he’d had to spend a week cleaning her workshop when he’d misunderstood her instructions and put the wrong acid in the mix.

He found his Aunt Gadget in the living room, reading a technical journal. Theo felt a little uncomfortable approaching her because of her pregnancy, but he knew he wasn’t going to solve this quadratic equation alone.

“Um, Aunt Gadget? Do you have a minute or two to spare?” Theo asked. Gadget was more than glad, because this was the first time anyone had asked her for her help all day. “Golly, I’ll always have time for you, Theo. What can I do?”

“I hope you can help with this problem. It’s algebra.”

Theo came closer and sat next to Gadget, showing her his math book. “See, it’s this one. 4xy + 3y = 44 and I have to figure out what x and y are. Why do math teachers torture us with this stuff?” Gadget grinned, putting an arm around him—mainly so she could keep herself stable and work the problem too. “Oh now, it’s not that bad. It’s simply a formula. In this case, y equals 4 and x equals two.”

Gadget spent a little time with Theo explaining the principle behind the formula and how she’d figured it out. “Okay, now let’s do a few together until you have the hang of it.” They started working problems, then Theo’s curiosity got the better of him. “Aunt Gadget, do you think about whether your kids will be smart like you?” Gadget paused a moment. “I don’t know, Theo. I hope they’re smart. I’d like to pass on my skills to someone whose eyes won’t glaze over when I’m talking to them about machines.”

Theo paused a moment himself, then spoke again. “I thought about you and Uncle Dale and I realized that I might have kids someday. For a kid that’s having trouble with sixth-grade math, that’s kind of scary.” Gadget chuckled. “Well, people don’t learn these things overnight, Theo. Learning math takes time and patience, just like parenting. You’ll do fine.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Aunt Gadget, can I ask you something else?”

“Sure, is something on your mind?”

Theo didn’t know if it was right to ask or not, but he’d been concerned about it ever since Gadget had become pregnant. “Aunt Gadget, are you scared about having kids? I mean when you have to—you know, deliver them and all?” Gadget could see the real concern in Theo’s eyes and realized all this must be a real mystery for a young boy. “I don’t think it will be a problem. It’s a little scary and it’s going to hurt quite a bit but I’m not worried that it can’t be done.”

The young Maplewood stole a glance at her. “Um, is it okay if I’m scared for you, then?” Gadget laughed, pulling him close. “Of course, Theo. But don’t be too scared or it’ll take away from the wonder of what will happen.” Theo breathed a little easier. “Well, all right. Is it okay for me to hug you? I won’t hurt them, will I?”

“Not at all, Theo. Hug away!”

Theo smiled and hugged Gadget. It felt good to have some reassurance. “Thanks. I’ve been worried about you for weeks now, but I felt too uncomfortable to say anything. I didn’t want to cause any trouble.”

“It’s never trouble to tell someone that you care about them.”

“Well, nothing’s ever simple when you’re a kid,” Theo said. “I think I’ve got this figured out now. Thanks again, Aunt Gadget.”

“No problem, Theo. Glad I could help,” Gadget said, smiling as she watched him go.

After dinner came and went, Dale was fussing over Gadget as usual. Despite her slight impatience at this, Gadget knew he was just looking out for her. She let him lead her to the couch. “Okay, I agreed to wait until after supper to hear your evening patrol report, Chip, so let’s hear it. Is it about Nimnul?”

Chip sat down, the frustration evident. “That’s just it, Gadget. There’s been nothing from the usual sources since his breakout from Riker’s Island three days ago. He’s just not streetwise enough to fully disappear like this. We’ve tried all the usual contacts and searched his old haunts, but it’s like he invented an invisibility ray and just vanished! I don’t like it, particularly considering all the knowledge in that twisted brain of his.”

“We’ll, lucky for us he’s not the type who stays hidden in the background,” Dale said. “He’ll show himself soon enough.”

“Then we’ll nab him and send him back to jail!” Theo added. Gadget of course had other things on her mind. “I wish I could help out. I’ve got so many ideas from sitting around that I want to do, I’ve nearly filled a whole notebook with them! Oh...” Dale saw Gadget’s expression change and she looked down. Dale took her hand in his. “What’s wrong, Gadget? Is it time? Is it?”

Gadget smiled at him. “One of the babies kicked! Here, put your hand right there...” Gadget guided Dale’s hand, and in a minute the kicking resumed. “Wow, looks like sibling rivalry already! It feels like ninja babies in there.” This generated instant curiosity among the others, and soon several of them had also felt the kicking. Lahwhinie approached also. She’d kept a little distance from Gadget lately, but this novelty had her curious too. “Um, could I try?”

“Sure! Don’t be afraid,” Gadget said.

Lahwhinie slowly brought her hand to the spot and blinked in surprise when she felt a kick. “They’re really in there. I guess it was easier to think that you’d swallowed a golf ball or something.” This generated a laugh from the room, and slowly things settled down again. When it was time for bed, Chip caught Lahwhinie looking up toward Gadget’s room. “You doing okay, Peaches? You’re aren’t concerned about Gadget, are you?”

“Of course I’m worried about her, she’s my sister. It’s just weird though, knowing that there are two people inside of her.”

“That’s the miracle of life,” Chip said. “I’m still amazed that they’re going to be parents, but Gadget and Dale will be the best parents around. Everything will turn out okay.”

Lahwhinie took on a frown. “Uh, yeah...better them than us...right?”

Chip was surprised at the question, or at least the way she asked it. “Are you saying you aren’t sure about not having kids anymore?” Lahwhinie was hesitant, to say the least. “Well, you never know. Maybe...we’ll see how hers turn out before we say anything more about this.” Chip took her hand. “Okay. I just didn’t realize you were reconsidering. Whatever decision we make, we’ll do it together. But I love you, no matter what.”

“Thanks Chip. I appreciate you being so patient about this. Maybe, Chip. Maybe.”

Chip kissed her. “Don’t worry, you’ve already made me more happy than I ever thought I’d be. Come on, let’s tuck Theo in and get some rest.”

The next morning, the Rangers were up early on schedule. Eva was now in charge of all things mechanical, and she’d switched back to her dark blue coveralls that she’d worn when she’d first arrived at Ranger Headquarters. She came into breakfast from outside with a few new grease splotches on her. “You vill be happy to know that the RangerVing and RangerPlane are in top-class condition. We are ready for morning patrol!”

“Good work, Eva,” Chip said. “With Gadget sleeping late in the mornings and being forced to rest so often now, it’s a good thing for us that we have you to fill in as a backup. Finish up, everyone. There’s a crazed professor out there, and the sooner we find him the easier the city will sleep tonight!”

In the warehouse district, a new resident was making himself at home. For weeks, the only sound had been the repetitive noises of the machinery doing its job. Now, the solitude was broken by a group of rodents led by Rat Capone. He’d expected resistance from the local muscle, but to his surprise there was no welcoming committee. He went inside and flicked on the light switch.

The outside of the building was the leftovers of an old human lumber warehouse. Inside was another story. With his ill-gotten gains, Rat had furnished and carpeted the building’s office shack with the best stuff stolen money could buy. A group of well-dressed employees came up and greeted him, then went back to preparing for what was about to be opening night.

“Boss, it sure is a classy joint!” Sugar Ray said.

Rat’s eyes gleamed with avarice. “Those other crooks out there were too afraid to try to take over the gambling circuit, so now it’s ours. Okay, youse guys go over the place, top to bottom! I don’t want no surprises. I wanna make sure this joint is really empty before we set up shop!”

The brute squad, led by Sugar Ray, headed off to do Capone’s bidding. Arnold remained with him for protection as they headed into an elevator that led to a private, secure office. “Ooh, cushy!” Arnold exclaimed. “I like a cushy office. Can I play trampoline on the chairs, boss?” Rat bopped him. “No, you can’t jump on the furniture! Fat Cat never had it so good. Everything in here’s imported, so don’t touch nothin’!”

“Not even the safe?” Arnold asked.

“Especially not the safe!” Rat said, then sweet avarice took over again. “Oh, how I’ve worked and slaved for this day. No craftsman ever worked harder on any achievement than I have on this. I can move the family in here and we’ll be livin’ the life of Riley.”

“Uh, Riley? I thought your name was Rat…”

Rat clouted him. “ Shaddap, Arnold! We’re gonna be busy here the next couple of weeks, makin’ sure our control is strong. Once the money starts rolling in, other crooks are gonna come swimmin’ around like sharks.”

“We gonna put in a pool too, boss? We could put it up on the roof an’ have neat pool parties and I could get me some inflatable toys and...”

“Why do I even bother with the brilliant metaphors with mugs like you…” Rat sighed. “If we start making lots of cash, other crooks are gonna want some of it! We need to be able to protect our investment.” Arnold nodded, his mouth open. “Oh, okay. But you already got some muscle hired, boss. Just make sure you got enough to handle whoever comes along.”

“That’s what I’ve just been explaining to you, you moron!”

“Oh, okay, boss. Watcha gonna do once the place is secure and all?”

The rodent rubbed his paws. “Make lots and lots of cash. We’re gonna be rich! No more living in sewers for Rat Capone. With the money and power we get from running this place, we’re gonna take over the whole criminal empire of New York!”

“Yeah but, uh, what about them Ranger people? Dey gonna know you’re here and all, boss.”

“We won’t have to worry about them till this place starts makin’ money. Besides, they gotta find it first. From the outside, this place is just a broken-down old lumber warehouse. If they do show, then we’ll take care of ‘em however it needs ta be done.”

Arnold appeared nervous. “Ain’t you scared dey might do to you whatever it is dey did to Fat Cat? I mean, word is dey made ‘im just disappear! Pffft!” Rat laughed off the notion. “Ha! They wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’ll bet Fats got hisself killed messin’ with that stuff he stole from the coppers.”

Arnold ducked his head. “I don’t wanna disappear, boss. I like appearing.” Rat took a seat behind his custom-made Louis Quinze desk. “Don’t worry, when this place takes us to the big time, everybody will know who we are. People will even treat you with respect.” When his cohorts returned, the news was good—no surprises and everything seemed to be in working order. Rat rubbed his hands gleefully. “Finally, I’m gonna get what’s mine!”

“Dale, could you help me with this?”

Like a crimson blur, Dale came rushing in from his workout room to the main room of the lair. Gadget was holding a large framed painting of her family that Dale had done, and she was trying to decide where to put it. Gadget’s imminent delivery date worried Dale no end, and he’d become increasingly protective of her, trying to make sure she didn’t overexert herself. Of course, that meant that Dale overreacted, as he was now. “Omigosh, you shouldn’t be doing that!”

Dale snatched the painting out of Gadget’s hands and put it down as he saw Gadget walking over to get her hammer and a nail to hang the picture with. Dale ran over to her. “Here, let me do it!”

“But I can...” Gadget started.

Dale went into chipmunk overdrive, quickly banging the nail in place on the wall (and whacking his thumb), then hung the picture up. “There ya go, Gadget! Looks good there. Now why don’t you sit down and I’ll run downstairs and bring up some breakfast? You’re eating for three now, y’know!”

Gadget set herself and stood squarely in his way, hands on her hips. “Dale, hold it!”

Dale stopped in his tracks, a ball of nerves. “Yes, is there anything else you need—brunch, dinner, midnight snack? Thirsty?” Gadget crossed her arms. “Yes, and it’s called a break!”

Gadget took a moment and calmed herself. “Dale, I’m not an invalid! I’m simply going to have children, and putting up a painting’s not going to cause me to keel over! I still need to feel useful, okay?”

Dale had meant well, but now he could see that he’d crossed the line. “Uh, okay Gadget. I’m sorry. I just worry about you and the kids. You three are the most important people in the world to me!” Gadget’s smile returned. “I know, Dale. It’s just that you get so tense and nervous, that it makes me that way too! You know what Dr. Batorious said about keeping me away from stressful situations. I promised I’d stop inventing, but even he said it was good for me to do what I could for myself. You know how I am—if I’m not doing something useful I build up too much nervous energy. Besides, we’re under a month away now, and that’s got me nervous as it is.”

“Okay, Gadget. What would you like to do today? I won’t make a fuss this time.”

Gadget headed for her mechanical lift chair. “Well, actually I’d just like to get out and breathe some fresh air. Why don’t we spend the day in the park?”

“That sounds like a great idea, as long as you don’t get too much sun or strain yourself in any way...uh, sorry.”

Gadget didn’t give him a shot to reconsider. “Come on, let’s get downstairs.”

A while back, Gadget had (with Eva’s help) built her chair assistant to get her up and down from the lair’s stairs. It was a human coffee cup with a cutout in front and a plush seat in the middle. A lever allowed her to maneuver the chair up or down along a built-in track. It made life much easier, at least when Dale wasn’t cavorting in it like the latest amusement park ride. Dale helped her in, and she rode down the spiral staircase where Monty and Eva were just about to call them to breakfast. “Ah, there you are! Gadget, you look so radiant this morning, dahling,” Eva said.

“Let me help you up, luv,” Monty offered.

Monty did so, and despite Gadget’s prickled feelings, she eagerly accepted his help. Eva eyed the still-nervous chipmunk. “So, did you and Dale have that little talk you mentioned last night?” Gadget grinned and nodded. “Yeah, we settled things. Thanks for lending me an ear, mom. You too, dad.”

“No problem, lass,” Monty said, then turned to Dale. “Don’t take it hard, Dale me lad. Yer wife’s got the one-month jitters is all. Me dad said it happened just that way with ma. Ya gotta treat her extra nice, ‘cause she’s getting close to the time.” Dale started to relax, but just a little. “She’s ready to kill me for killing her with kindness.”

Eva brought him some fresh biscuits with jam. “Vhat Monty means is you must give her the space she needs, Dale. It is not an easy thing, the pregnancy, and each expectant mother handles it differently. But we have this in common—we all get more sensitive to how others treat us. I have no doubt you are being kind, but she vill not break if she does a few things for herself.”

“Thanks mom, but we’ve got it covered,” Gadget said.

Eva and Monty let it go when they heard the terseness in Gadget’s voice. Most of the time, she was her sweet self, and even moreso when she was doing well. She would hum and sing songs to her children and even read to them out of her favorite technical manuals. Now was one of those “off” times, and Eva knew, like Dale, it was time to let her be. “Come and have a bite of something, dahling. I imagine Chip vill be gathering everyone for the morning patrol any minute.”

Chapter 5 – A Sleepover, Arguing and Making Up, and Moving In

When Theo Maplewood woke up, he was a bolt of excitement. It took him three times longer to dress than normal, and he couldn’t seem to get the door to his room open quick enough. The young chipmunk escaped though, and zipped into the kitchen. His expectant face drooped some when the object of his hurrying wasn’t there. Monty brought the young munk’s breakfast as well as his lunch for school. Theo sat down and began eating.

“Top o’ the morning to ya, lad!” Monty said, altogether too cheerful for that time of the morning. “Say, you look loike you’ve got a burr under your saddle. Reminds me of the time I was qualifying for the regional wallaby-riding championships. Ah, those were the days...”

Theo had learned to tune his uncle out at such times, particularly when he was in a hurry. “Uncle Monty, have you seen mom and dad?” Monty halted his reverie. “Not yet, pally. They’ve been sleeping in a mite later these days. Still recovering from all that traveling they did, I reckon. You got a problem, lad? Your Uncle Monty’s here ta help!”

“Well, since the weekend’s coming up I want to ask a big favor of everyone…” Theo began, stealing a glimpse around the table.

“What kind of favor, Theo?” Gadget asked. Dale cast a concerned look Theo’s way. “You don’t want to try to fly the RangerWing again yet, do you?” Theo took on a sly demeanor. “Of course I do, but that’s not the favor I want to ask.”

Honey and Zipper were right behind and caught the tail end of Theo’s talk. “Well, I am certain whatever it is, we’ll be able to handle it,” Honey said. “Sure!” Zipper added. “After all, we’re the Rescue Rangers! There’s nothing we can’t handle.” Theo cleared his throat and stood up as if he were going to address a session of Congress. “I’d like to have some friends sleep over this weekend. Just a few of my closest friends.”

You could’ve heard a pin drop.

This time, Gadget was out of her league. “Er uh, well...”

“That’s um....” Zipper stammered.

“Kids? Here? Crikey!” Monty said.

Dale alone was smiling. “A sleepover? Neato! I get to be on the food committee!” Theo wasn’t sure what to make of the response, but he tried to look as hopeful as possible. “Well? Is it okay?”

Gadget looked at the others and shrugged. “Well, it’s not that we’re saying yes or no, it’s just that we’ve never had this come up before. Golly, this will take a little thought. Kids in Ranger Headquarters?” Chip came in, having caught the last of Gadget’s words. “Who said anything about kids coming to Ranger Headquarters?”

Chip and Lahwhinie were both at the kitchen door now, wondering what was going on. Theo had the floor. “Dad, can I have some friends sleep over this weekend?” Chip appeared noncommittal, pushing up his fedora on his head. “Friends? Sleep over? Theo, that’s asking a lot. We’d have to host them, and find places for them to sleep and coordinate with their parents and all.”

“Dad, it’s not like it’s the invasion of Normandy!” Theo protested. “We just call and ask permission and then we sleep in sleeping bags in the living room. Just snacks and stuff, y’know. We’ll watch movies and sleep.” Chip may not have been a father for that long, but he remembered being a kid well enough. “Uh huh. And who cleans up afterward? And who handles the problems that come up? And—”

“Chip...” Lahwhinie grabbed Chip’s arm and they went into the main room together for a private conference. “Chip, Ranger Headquarters isn’t R.A.S. central. It’s Theo’s home, and he wants to invite his friends over to his home. What’s wrong with that?”

“They’ll just be in the way,” Chip countered. “Suppose an emergency happens. Suppose Gadget goes into labor early or one of our enemies attacks and the kids are here? We’d be responsible! No, it’s too big a risk.” Lahwhinie stood her ground. “Chip, you’re such a worry-wart! Do you remember that we promised to give Theo a normal home environment? Well, having friends over is part of that! Gadget’s still a month off, and as for sneak attacks all’s been quiet on the western front for weeks. Give the kid a break, okay?”

Chip was about to say more when Lahwhinie kissed him. “Okay,” Chip relented, “but we’ll have to have clear rules of behavior of what they can and can’t do.” Lahwhinie shook her head, smiling. “Don’t worry, they’re just a bunch of twelve-year-olds. Besides, they’ll get a kick out of seeing you and headquarters and all. They probably want to see this cool place that Theo’s been talking about.”

Chip looked around and Lahwhinie’s smile spread to him. “Yeah, I guess I’d be pretty curious if I was twelve and could come to a place like this. All right, let’s go talk to him.”

Chip and Lahwhinie went back in, where everyone was waiting. “You can have a sleepover, provided we’re clear on who’s coming, what you’ll do and the rules everyone will follow,” Chip said. “And we can work out the logistics.”

Theo wanted to say “hurray” right then, but he knew it wasn’t just their decision. “Okay everyone, mom and dad are okay with it. How about the rest of you?”

“I’m all for a party!” Dale shouted.

Eva hadn’t spoken before, but now seemed the proper time. “Vell, we must consider what has to be done. How do you have a sleepover, Theo? Vhat will you and your friends expect it to be like?” Theo was beginning to understand this concept called the generation gap. “We’d watch movies, talk, eat food and stuff. The usual sleepover stuff.”

“What kind of movies?” Gadget asked. “Classics, westerns, science fiction?”

Dale began counting off. “Vampire slugs from space, werewolves, Scooby Doo marathons...”

“Crocodile Dundee marathons,” Monty added.

“Citizen Kane, Casablanca, How Green Was My Valley,” Chip said.

Theo interrupted their top ten lists. “Horror, the scarier the better! Blood, guts, gore, entrails flying out the windows, stuff like that! Haven’t any of you ever been to a sleepover before?” The Rangers looked at each other then back at Theo and shook their heads.

“Uh, not really,” Dale said. “Chip and me went to each other’s houses, but our parents wouldn’t let us stay up late and watch TV alone.”

“Weren’t no TV’s in the outback, lad,” Monty said.

“Flies don’t have time for television,” Zipper said.

“Or queens,” Honey added.

“I spent most of my childhood under an engine,” Gadget said.

Eva frowned a little. “I didn’t have friends to sleep over with.”

Chip crossed his arms, grinning. “I think you’re working with amateurs here, Theo, but in any case horror movies are out.” Dale immediately came to Theo’s defense. “Hey, what’s wrong with horror movies? I watched ‘em all the time on the late, late, late show and it never did anything to me!”

“Oh yeah?” Chip said. “I remember all the times you chained the door shut and took a baseball bat to bed and yelled because you were dreaming about those silly monsters and things! Sorry Theo, but we’ll have to negotiate on the movies.” Theo sighed, but didn’t lose his composure. “Okay, I anticipated this. We want Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hellraiser, Evil Dead 1 and 2 and Nightmare on Elm Street. What are your suggestions? Oh, and Exorcist of course.”

“Oh, that’s a rough one,” Dale said of Theo’s last choice. “Chip, remember when we watched that as kids and you slept for a month with the lights on? I never could eat pea soup again after watching that.”

“Yeah, I do remember. I think Grandpa Sean’s too young to see that movie. How about something that doesn’t involve grisly gore in every single scene? Say like um, well, the Rocketeer or the Star Wars Trilogy or...”

“How about Indiana Jones, fedora brain?” Lahwhinie said. “There’s gore enough there in places, but at least it’s part of the plot.” Now Theo had to up his tactics. “But daaaad, scary movies are part of the whole thing!”

“What do you want to be scared for?” Chip asked. “Rescue Rangers shouldn’t be scared of anything.” Theo couldn’t believe that his dad could be so square. “Didn’t you and Uncle Dale like to get scared just for the sake of being scared silly? Scary movies, ghost stories and all kinds of stuff like that?”

“I did!” Dale said. “I loved scaring myself. Of course, the time I got up in the middle of the night and thought dad’s training dummy was Dracula pushed my allowance back for a year...” Chip wasn’t budging. “To me, it’s just setting yourself up to be scared of everything. I’ll go so far as to let you see all of Temple of Doom this time, but no gore-fest, okay?”

“Dad, Temple of Doom I’ve seen at least a dozen times and it’s the worst of the series. Okay, Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Now we still need another movie or two.” Monty pitched in. “How about a war movie? They’re educational.”

“Yeah, on the hundred best ways to kill a person,” Lahwhinie quipped.

“How about ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’? It’s a movie about war and has violence, but shows the true futility of war,” Chip said. Theo was really trying to be patient. He really was. “Uh, I think you’re missing the point, dad.”

“Well, what is the point?” Chip asked. “You sound like you want to be scared enough that you won’t even be able to go to sleep.” Theo felt he was making some progress. “How about crime movies? Goodfellas, Usual Suspects, Scarface.” Chip lost himself in a memory for a moment. “Scarface, that’s a true classic. Paul Muni was fantastic in that.”

“Not that Scarface, dad! I’m talking about the Al Pacino version. You know, ‘say hello to my leetle friend’?” Theo asked. “Sleeping isn’t high on the priority of any sleepover, anyway. It’s just a chance for friends to hang out and do fun stuff. Sorry, I didn’t realize this would require the third degree.”

Chip knew that he was cramping Theo’s style, but Chip also knew that was inevitable when you were a parent. “I know you didn’t, but we have to look out for you. Some things you just shouldn’t be exposed to, and even if your friends watch those shows all the time that’s no excuse. They’re welcome to come, but they should know that when they do they’ll be expected to watch the kind of things we approve for you to watch. I know that’s not as fun-sounding, but that’s the way it has to be.” Theo sighed again, knowing this was the price for having a family. Besides, he knew his birth parents would probably be having this same conversation with him now.

“Okay, dad. Star Wars and Raiders,” Theo relented.

Lahwhinie patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, sport. You’ll all have a good time, no matter what you’re watching. Any other suggestions? It’s going to be crowded in here with all of us around. Don’t you figure you’ll want some privacy?”

“She’s right,” Dale said. “Theo’s gonna want as few grownups around as possible. I think maybe we should have our own sleepover up in the lair so the guys can have some privacy.” Monty had a better idea. “Me and Eva can go off fer the weekend with little Colby. Sean said we were welcome anytime, so maybe we’ll go pay the lad a visit.”

“Perhaps Zipper and I could go for an extended visit to my hive,” Honey offered. Gadget turned to Dale. “Maybe you and I should go up to Sean’s, too, and leave Chip and Lahwhinie in charge. Or we could go stay with your parents.”

“But Gadget, what if the babies come and we’re up at Sean’s? We’d never get to a doctor in time!” Dale protested. Gadget couldn’t have Dale fidgeting. “All right, your parents it is.” Dale started to protest that, but Gadget held firm. “Dale, I’d really enjoy getting out of the house for a day or two. We haven’t been anywhere in ages, and they have a nice guest room. Okay?” Dale couldn’t resist her pleading eyes. “Aw, okay. Guess you’ll have to do without the party-meister, Theo.”

Lahwhinie returned the conversation to the subject at hand. “Well, it sounds like we’re settled, then. Now, who will you be inviting, son? Should I make poi, or will they bring their own stuff to eat?” Theo had to think, as he’d had to expend so much energy just on getting the party approved. “There’d be Zooger, Billy Hangwalter and Rrr..Ray Kaypon.” Dale looked at Theo, confused. “You have a friend named Zooger? What’s his last name?”

“Zanderval Oswald Gundersen’s his full name. That’s why everyone just calls him Zooger, even the teachers,” Theo said. Chip looked over at the wall calendar. “Well, I guess it would be good to meet your friends. We haven’t been doing much socially, so now we can entertain at least. All right, tell them they can come. When do you want to do this?”

“Friday night. Everyone sure about this?” Theo asked. The adults did a quick show of hands, Gadget raising Dale’s hand for him to emphasize she wasn’t taking no for an answer. Chip nodded. “Looks like we’re all in favor. All right, I’ll get in contact with their parents.”

“Whose parents?” Bink had opened the outer door and was looking in. “What’s up? I thought you were walking with me to school this morning, Theo.” Theo appeared apologetic. “Sorry Bink, we got a bit sidetracked by a family discussion. I just got approval for a sleepover for some school pals.”

Bink’s face brightened. “Oh, that sounds neat! A sleepover in Ranger Headquarters! Um, it is just going to be a boys’ sleepover? Sorry, I guess I shouldn’t butt in.” That was Theo’s thought precisely. “Of course it is…uh, nothing personal, though. You’re my best friend in the world, but you’re a girl and all.” Lahwhinie saw the disappointment on Bink’s face. “Theo, that’s not very nice! Bink’s like a part of the extended family. Tell you what—you can bring three of your girl friends over and you can camp out in my room with me.”

“But...” Chip started to protest.

“Chip, it’s only fair,” Lahwhinie said. “And after all, girls aren’t second-class citizens.” Theo didn’t like it one bit, but tried not to let it show. “Well, if you guys don’t mind, I guess it won’t be so bad having Bink and her friends here.”

“But...” Chip said again.

“Now I know what you’re going to say,” Lahwhinie said. “I’ll make sure the guys and gals stay separate.”

“Well...” Chip said.

“Puh-leeze?” Bink begged.

“Oh, all right.”

Bink jumped for joy. “Yay!” Theo on the other hand felt like calling the whole thing off, but after all the trouble he went to, it might mean no more friends over at all. “We’re going to watch Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark...is...there anything you’d like to watch?”

Bink now caught some of her friend’s uneasiness. “Well, Gadget told me a while back that she liked that old Robin Hood movie. I’ve never seen that.” Despite his misgivings, Theo brightened up with her not mentioning a romance movie. “That would be great! I like the classics. Errol Flynn at his best!” Bink nodded, then a smirk formed on her face. “Sounds great. So do we get to watch the movies too, or would us smelly old girls ruin your fun?”

“Well, as long as it’s a movie we can all agree on, it’s fine with me. I was just worried you’d want a romance movie. But what about your friends? What will they want to watch?”

“Oh, they won’t care. We’ll probably go off and talk once it starts, whatever it is. You don’t have to worry about accommodating us.”

So far, so good. “Okay. What about food? Who were you planning on inviting?” Bink shrugged. “Oh, no one in particular. Denise, Debbie, maybe Rhonda.” Eva interrupted their tête-à-tête. “And who are these girls, Bink? I trust they vould behave themselves.”

“Oh sure. Denise Denkins is one of the smartest girls in school. Debbie Pakanowski’s the head cheerleader in junior high and she’s sort of bubbly but she’s real nice once you get to know her. Rhonda Highwater’s the rich mouse’s daughter and she’d insist on coming along anyway so I figured I might as well invite her too.” Theo traded looks with his father and knew it was no use. “Well, okay. That shouldn’t be a problem. I just hope the guys don’t mind.” Chip pointed to the clock. “You two’d better get going. School starts in fiftee