Poacher Peril (2 page)

“Greetings, godchildren,” said the image, with a jovial smile. “Of course, if you're not Ben and Zoe Woodward this message isn't for you.”

“It's Uncle Stephen!” gasped Ben. “But he disappeared four years ago!”

Their godfather, Dr Stephen Fisher, a world-renowned animal specialist, had vanished at around the time of their seventh birthday and hadn't been heard of since. Ben and Zoe hadn't seen him often, but they'd always looked forward to his visits. And, of course, they'd never missed a single one of his TV appearances. They'd loved their godfather and his crazy ways. He would make up clever games that always had them thinking hard and howling with laughter at the same time.

“As you know, I disappeared some time ago,” said the flickering image. “This is my hologram. That doesn't mean I'm dead, far from it. I went undercover so I could concentrate on my great plan to save endangered animals.”

The image stepped right up to them.

“I'm going to tell you a secret.” He looked around as if to make sure no-one was listening. Ben and Zoe found themselves doing the same. “Four years ago, I set up an organisation called Wild – which must remain completely confidential!”

“Why's he telling us about it then?” hissed Ben.

“I expect you're wondering why I'm telling you about it,” Uncle Stephen went on brightly. “I've kept an eye on your movements and I'm very impressed with your work with endangered animals. You both have valuable skills and knowledge and I want you to join me at Wild. Can't tell you where it is, of course, but your contact will be in touch. See you soon!”

The image flickered. Then it appeared again. “Erm…if you're not Ben and Zoe Woodward, then obviously your contact won't be in touch,” it said apologetically and vanished.

“Wow!” gasped Ben. “A secret organisation – and Uncle Stephen wants us to join. We'd better get packed.”

“Hang on,” said Zoe. “You're always rushing into things. We don't know where we're going yet, or who our contact is.”

“Children!” Gran was yelling from the kitchen. “Cake's ready.”

“We'll talk later,” said Ben. “I'm not missing Gran's chocolate cake for anything!”

They raced down the hall to the kitchen. Gran stood beaming at them, holding out a chocolate cake with eleven candles. She winked at them.

“Just got time for this before your Wild adventure.”

CHAPTER
TWO

Ben and Zoe rattled along in the back of Gran's little car.

“I can't get my head round this, Gran,” said Ben. “You were in on our godfather's secret all along.”

“As soon as Stephen contacted me I knew you two would be perfect to join Wild.” Gran smiled.

“And you won't tell us any more.”

“Certainly not!” declared Gran. “That's up to him.”

She suddenly swung the car off the road and started to drive across a field! Zoe looked at Ben. “Has Gran lost her marbles?” she whispered. The car was lurching wildly over the furrowed ground.

“Nearly there,” called their grandmother over her shoulder.

Now the children could see a helicopter in the field ahead. A young woman jumped out. She was wearing jeans and a thick jacket and her blonde hair was tied in a rough ponytail.

“That's Erika,” said Gran. “She'll be taking you from here.” She bumped the car to a halt. “Have fun and be safe,” she said, blowing them a quick kiss as they got out. “And don't worry about your mum and dad. I'll deal with them. See you soon.” She hurtled off across the field.

“This is so unreal!” Zoe muttered as the woman came forwards to shake their hands.

“Good morning, Ben and Zoe.” The woman had a German accent. “I'm Erika Bohn, Dr Fisher's second-incommand. I'm here to take you to the Island.” She led the way to the helicopter and settled herself in the pilot's seat. “Strap yourselves in,” she said. She put on her headset and handed them some ear protectors. She began flicking switches. The door closed and the rotors vroomed into life.

“Where are we going?” asked Ben, shouting above the noise.

“Any questions will have to wait for Dr Fisher,” Erika told them as they flew north over fields and towns. “He's bursting to tell you all about it himself and would never forgive me if I let anything slip.”

Zoe sniffed the air. “What's that smell? Is everything all right with the helicopter?”

Erika chuckled. “I forgot to warn you. We use alternative energy sources at Wild. This helicopter is fuelled by chicken manure.”

“You mean
poo
?” said Ben.

“Yes,” said Erika. “It's environmentally friendly. And free – there's plenty on the Island. But it does take a while to get used to the smell.”

Now they'd left the land behind and were flying over choppy waves.

“Landing in thirty seconds,” Erika announced.

“Where?” whispered Zoe.

“Look, there's a little island ahead,”

Ben told her, looking out of his window.

“Though that can't be it. It's too small.”

But Erika was bringing the helicopter down on a bare patch of earth among wild grass and bushes. Ben and Zoe jumped down and gazed at their desolate surroundings. Erika appeared at their side. She pulled a remote control from her jacket and pressed a button. Sheets of old wood suddenly rose from the ground around the helicopter and made a shelter. A corrugated roof slid up from one of the walls and slammed down on top.

“Now no-one will know there's a helicopter there,” she explained. “It's important for Wild to stay absolutely secret. Follow me and mind where you step.” She dodged round a pile of droppings. “There's ‘fuel' everywhere.”

She led the way through what looked like a chicken farm. There were tatty henhouses and chickens running about freely.

“It looks a mess,” said Erika, “but that's all part of Wild HQ's disguise. And I promise you the chickens are well looked after.”

“Look at the chicks!” cooed Zoe, stopping to watch a mother hen stalk past, followed by her brood. “They're just like little balls of fluff!”

“Gooey overload.” Ben pretended he was being sick.

Zoe stuck out her tongue at him, as Erika flung open the door of a rickety shed. There was an old-fashioned toilet inside. “In we go!” she said cheerfully. Ben and Zoe exchanged a look. They knew what each other was thinking. This was getting seriously weird.

It was a tight squeeze, especially after Erika had pulled the door shut and drawn the bolt across. She pulled the chain. Instead of the expected noise of water gurgling, there was a gentle hum. “Hold on to your bellies,” she warned. “This is a turbo lift.”

“Turbo's not the word!” gasped Ben, as the lift suddenly shot down and finally came to rest deep underground. “That was better than any theme park ride.”

“Welcome to Wild,” said Erika, as she stepped out of the lift. “These are our headquarters – where we coordinate all our plans.”

The children followed her into a long, brightlylit corridor. They passed doors on both sides. Erika waved a hand. “These are bedrooms, bathrooms, everything we need to live on an island…”

She stopped at a door at the far end marked Control Room and placed her fingertips on a pad.

“Print identification complete,” came an electronic voice from the intercom above.

“This is like a spy film,” Zoe whispered to Ben. “What are we letting ourselves in for?”

The door slid open. Erika ushered the children in and it closed silently behind them.

CHAPTER
THREE

Ben and Zoe stared open-mouthed at the huge, busy room in front of them. There were people sitting at computers, who looked up and smiled, then got back to their work. The walls were covered with giant plasma screens showing footage of animals in the wild.

“They're all endangered,” murmured Ben, taking in the amazing sight of mountain gorillas, pandas and hawksbill turtles in their natural habitats. Zoe gasped and pointed at one of the screens.

“That's the black-tailed ferret!” she exclaimed. “They're nearly extinct.”

“You're right,” came a deep voice. “Wild's working hard to stop that from happening.”

Out from behind a workstation stepped a smiling Uncle Stephen. He was wearing old jeans and a dinner jacket with a bow tie. His spiky red hair looked as if it hadn't been brushed for days.

“Ben and Zoe!” He shook their hands vigorously. “You haven't changed much from the seven-year-old scamps I remember,” he said. “There's always been a thirst for adventure in those bright blue eyes.”

“It's great seeing you again,” said Zoe, giving him a hug.

Uncle Stephen laughed and ruffled her hair. “What do you think of Wild headquarters?”