>>5359339“Anywho,” The old man continues, “I’m gonna assume you already got the instructions fer’ tomorrow.”
You nod as you give your forehead a few taps! All up in here!
“Great. Don’t worry about yer’ pals none–I’ve already found a couple an’ relayed the info.” Explains Pete in a placating tone. “I’ll get to the others before the night is over, so you just relax, y’hear?”
Way ahead of ya, you reply, taking another swig from your glass. MmM!
“One more thing:” Pete continues in a hushed voice as he motions you closer, “I stowed that <span class="mu-g">HELICOPTER</span> for ya.”
Wait a sec, you blink, that was <span class="mu-i">him</span>?
“Yep–had a pal who used to run a flight school out in the desert way back when.” Nods the old man with a mischievous glimmer in his eye! “Won’t be doin’ any air shows, but I know my way around a rotor or two!”
Cool, you sigh, but what’s that got to do with the plan tomorrow?
“It doesn’t.” Pete replies, “But from what I gathered from Cliff’s clues, he was <span class="mu-i">adamant</span> that you an’ yer’ pals have a backup plan in case, well, things go South tomorrow.”
Right, you nod, whatever that means.
“In any case, no one else can find it–made darn sure of that.” He continues with a hint of pride in his scratchy voice. “If ya’ head North of here there’s a patch of forest–plants get water from an old storm drainage ditch that runs through ‘er.”
“<span class="mu-r">Drainage ditch…</span>” Nats intones as if inscribing into a notebook, “<span class="mu-r">Gotcha!</span>”
“Follow it downhill and you’ll reach a derelict <span class="mu-g">SERVICE SUBSTATION–</span> probably used ta’ monitor water flow or somethin’ once upon a time, who knows.” Pete shrugs. “Anyways, there’s an old parking lot behind the building–a bit overgrown, but I put ‘er down there. Covered her with a tarp, too–can’t miss it.”
Cool, you nod appreciatively, but isn’t that, like, a little <span class="mu-i">far</span>?
“Had ta’ be.” The old man retorts in a matter-of-fact tone. “Birds like that are pretty loud, not to mention there are patrols all along the outside walls.” Fanning himself with his hat, Pete looks at you with a weary smile. “Took the wind outta’ me, but it oughta’ be a pleasant hike for you younger folk.” His grin hops back to neutral. “... not that you’ll need it, I hope.”
“Not bad, though!” Ly remarks as you thank Pete, “Between dis’ chopper an’ da’ <span class="mu-b">VAN</span> we oughta’ be set, huh?”
“If things go pear-shaped, I’ll try ta’ meet ya’ there.” The old man continues. “Otherwise, well… I may have given that Gus fella a few tips.”
Better him than <span class="mu-i">Art</span> or <span class="mu-i">Eddie</span>, you retort.
>CONTD. 