by KC Frantzen
Sassy says, “Is this what you detected?”
With great effort, I nod.
“What else do you sense?”
“Uh, uh…a folder marked ‘TBX’, photographs. There! The bearded man…that’s Rabba. And Woman and Monster with him. They kept me caged before…I was adopted…by my family.” My legs won’t stop shaking. She doesn’t seem to notice.
“Bueno. You’ve done well thinking under pressure.” Sassy’s voice turns tender. “Now remember what your mission was. What did ah ask you to do first?”
“But why do you have these things? Who ARE you and Miss Sandy?”
Sassy jumps down. “Ah will tell you, but ah must be sure. It is important for you to remember your mission. Review your surroundings.”
I sniff her closely. It makes no logical sense, but…I still trust her. I inhale deeply.
Righty-o. There’s a bird, landing on the porch rail. The clouds look angry and it’s starting to rain. I shake drops off my fur coat, and focus.
Oh. Lobbie! “I had the scent–” I look at Sassy and hang my head. “Then I lost it.”
“Can you detect it again? Ah think you can.”
I leap out of the trunk and sniff and snuffle. “Got it!” I track to the left front wheel, flatten myself out and scramble on top of the tire. Hi Lobbie! I forget my manners and answer with my mouth full. “Here it is. Okay, please! Tell me why–”
Sassy commands, “Bring it and be seated.”
Gulp. As I creep towards her, April strides to her side. They look so solemn but I must know. “The case you were discussing…is this part of it?”
April and Sassy look pleased. Sassy says, “Yes and there is not time to explain fully. Our case now concerns you and your family. Ah have found that, sometimes, even the smallest detail can lead to a big opportunity.”
Mother’s words! I’m a prepared puppy and opportunity is here.
“Ah am an officer in the K9 Service. My master also. Your sister has been in training for some months.”
April and I exchange glances. I’m glad I paid attention to her lessons. Mostly.
“Our most urgent case involves an anarchist, Rukan. We have intelligence that his cell group is planning an attack in our nation’s capital, possibly tomorrow. We are to thwart the attack and dismantle this cell, if possible. He is quite dangerous, as you know, for the man you call Rabba, this is Rukan.”
Wow!
“A team almost had him but all we found was this ripped piece of keffiyeh. Until your validation, we could not be sure it was his. Ah come now to the important decision for you. Already we have made ours. Will you join us?”
I bark from the shock.
Sassy nods and turns to my sister. “Abreel?”
“May, you are the one being asked to assist. The skills you inherently possess will serve you well. With instruction, you will be a formidable asset. Though you are insufferable and persistent, you will prevail precisely because of these traits. You will not let go until you succeed.”
I’m distracted by movement over their shoulders and glance at the porch. Hmmm. That bird reminds me–
“Pay attention.”
I turn my eyes front, as April continues. “You must assist in the capture of Rukan, if you are willing. I shall stay to guard our family and to continue my training. Represent us with honor. Return safely to us and report your adventures.”
Sassy takes a step forward, her head tilted. “What is it, chica?”
“Well, I…I noticed a bird, like my birdie, taking off.”
“Indeed? It was where?”
“On the porch, behind you.”
Sassy and April exchange a glance. Sassy says, “Where is it at present?”
“It flew towards the trees, that way. But…I don’t see it now.”
“You are most observant. Abreel, it is quite possible we have been discovered. We must hurry. May, pay close attention.”
The dragonfly emits a light beam, then an image appears! It’s a picture of the dining room, but I’m seeing all this from up high. Yeah, look. I think it’s from above the light over the table. Wonder of wonders! I hear Miss Sandy.
“Friends, I need to share something. But I’m grappling with quite how to say it.” She crouches down to pet my brother.
Dad leans on the table. “What’s on your mind?”
Miss Sandy strokes Hans’ ears. “I need to ask your permission, a favor actually.”
Mom nods. “We’ll do anything if we can.”
“I know but this…” She looks from face to face to face. “Alright. Straight out. We need to borrow OSM. Today.”
Me? I move closer to the hovering image, in time to see Hans run into Dad’s chair leg. I hear Mom say, “What ever for?”
Miss Sandy pulls a small gadget from her pocket and, using a nail, flips a tiny switch. “You remember I mentioned my acquaintance in the K9 Service? That person I referenced is myself. Sassy is that dog and, believe it or not, your April is also in training.
“I didn’t want to endanger you, but I’m sorry, we may have already. Here’s the situation. There is going to be an attack.” Her face becomes stern as she turns to look…at me!
“Possibly tomorrow.” Miss Sandy looks back at Dad and Mom. “OSM could be a big help, precisely because of her talents. With your permission, and if she chooses to.” She glances my way again. “I’d like her to deploy immediately. We will continue her training on the way.”
Mom thrusts her paws out. “What are you saying? You’re, what, some sort of spy?”
Dad says, “Hans always knew you were special, didn’t you boy?”
As my brother circles, Miss Sandy continues. “Remember the Venezuela visit? I was on assignment. What a blessing to find my Sassy while serving there. Remember how we got her out of country with such ease?”
Dad takes a quick look at Mom. “We’ve always wondered about that, haven’t we, Babe?”
“Sassy is an excellent recruiter, a superb judge of aptitude and character. She determined OSM has the raw talent and skills we can develop, and approved May last night. And I concur. I watched her some this morning.”
Mom squeaks, “How? You’ve been with us! What’s in your hand?”
Then the table moves. At least my view of it does. I see Miss Sandy’s paw, I mean hand, get closer and closer, then I have a perspective of Dad and Mom from the table top.
Mom’s hand covers her mouth and Dad says, “That’s your jacket pin?”
Miss Sandy winks. “Told you it was special. It is a new generation of drone and can look like anything – even dragonflies. We use them mostly for clandestine surveillance, but some can be weaponized. And this is a camera and a projector. See?”
Dad leans closer. “There’s the dogs, out front! Can they see us?”
I wave my paw.
Mom looks shocked, hesitates, then waves. Dad too.
Miss Sandy says, “Sassy’s dragonfly is equipped with a camera, as is the new fob on April’s collar.”
“I want one,” laughs Dad.
Mom grins. “What? A collar?”
Miss Sandy shakes her head. She smiles and continues. “The Service has employed hi-tech items for awhile. In fact, May disabled an older model, the remains of which are in your garage.”
“THAT’S what it is,” says Dad.
“Yes. The basic plans have leaked onto the Internet and our enemies now utilize the technology, though it is outdated now.”
Dad looks worried. “That can’t be good. Who knows what they see, or who is being observed?”
The dragonfly image switches off and Sassy sends the drone winging towards the trees. “We shall see what we shall see about the enemy drone, if that’s what it was.” She watches me closely. “Now May, to the situation at paw. If we gain their permission, will you join us? We need your help.”
I stare at the trees. This is tough. I don’t want to leave my family, now that I have one. But, I did ask the Creator to make my purpose clear. If I ca
n save another person from Rabba…If I, just a small dog nobody cared about, can help save my adopted family and, yeah. Maybe the whole country…
I straighten myself and say, “I will.”
“Bueno. Then ah present to you a provisional battlefield commission. Abreel, you will perform the ceremony.”
April’s jaws widen. “Gladly.”
Without warning, April’s jaws clamp around my neck and she slams me on my back. Hack. I show the whites of my eyes.
Sassy seems unconcerned. “This oath is for life, unless renounced. And that carries a severe penalty. Our Service holds these core values: integrity, honor, loyalty, respect, duty, personal courage, selfless service. You will be the nose and ears of your human officer. This means you might be first in, last out. In addition, you will protect and serve him or her personally.”
Sassy seems to struggle with her next words. “But humans have a way…How shall ah say…Even the good ones are imperfect, as we are. Do not put your complete faith in mankind. Instead, hold to the Creator.”
I try to nod as best as I can with April’s lips wrapped around me.
“So, do you agree to be loyal, against all enemies, foreign and domestic?”
I don’t want to see my family in pain, like with LJ, or Rabba, uh…Rukan. I just want them to live free, like they’ve helped me to. If I assist, and this is what it takes then…
Hey! This is my purpose! Joy fills me as I look directly into Sassy’s eyes. “I will.”
“Excellente. It seems your past has become part of your future.”
My brother runs up. “I want to be with Miss Sandy too.”
“Ah understand but mah master would want no harm to come to you. You’d best stay.”
Hans barely maintains his composure as he looks at me. “Keep an eye on Miss Sandy, okay?” Without waiting for my answer, he walks away.
April lets go and places her right front paw on my belly. “Acknowledge by repeating, ‘I will, so help me God.’ ”
I gulp a breath and puff, “Okay.”
She gives me a look.
“I mean, ‘I will, so help me God.’ ”
My sister solemnly says, “I will perform my duty to the best of my ability righteously, with courage, honor and determination…” She winks. “Your strong suit…With compassion and humility. May the Creator grant me wisdom and strength. I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or for purpose of evasion.”
She pauses. “Now, Pest.”
“I will, so help me God.”
April picks me up like a puppy, then places me gently on all four feet. “It will be your duty to uphold the noble traditions of the K9 Service. Congratulations.” She salutes and whispers, “Protocol demands you salute any superior officer.”
“Is this right?”
“No, like this.”
I snap my right paw, placing it near my eyebrow.
Sassy says, “Bueno chica. Well done. Welcome to the K9 Service.”
I notice April roll her eyes. Oh! I try saluting again. It’s better this time.
Sassy returns it. “We will begin a case overview immediately. You will receive extensive training once our mission is complete.”
When the humans arrive, Sassy makes a series of movements.
Miss Sandy says, “It’s confirmed? OSM has placed Rukan?” She looks serious as we all watch her pull out a thin bronze card. “One moment. I’m sending an urgent message.”
When she finishes, she says, “Please come to the car. I want to show you some things.”
Dad seems thrilled. “Look at all your equipment!”
Miss Sandy pulls out a red folder. Mom says, “ ‘Operation Starfish’. But what does all this say?”
“Wada’ef Najim Al-Bahr in Arabic and in Russian, Operatsiya Starfish – they translate the same. See this photo? We’ve not been certain this is Rukan and family, but May identified them. What can you tell us?”
Dad speaks first. “Only the wife and the son were there. He was a little monster.”
That’s for sure, Dad!
Mom flushes red as she stares at the photos, so I bump her leg with my nose. Hi. I love you.
When she reaches down, I leap into her arms. “May-Muffin, let me hold you! This is so…startling! Do you really want to leave us?”
No! I’m sad and I don’t want to…But I need to, for awhile, if I can help protect you and Dad and Hans and April.
Thlbbppttt.
Miss Sandy speaks into the bronze card, then listens. “Hoo-ah. You have our coordinates? Ready in ten.”
“Hoo-ah? Sounds like the Marines or something,” says Dad.
She signals for him to wait. “Roger that. Dog’s Nose Two, out.” Miss Sandy grins as she places the card into its sleeve. “You of all people. HUA – Heard, understood, acknowledged.”
“Hoo-ah,” grunts Dad.
Mom says, “I heard, but I didn’t understand that last part.”
“That is our K9 unit designation, though we may have to change since we have a new recruit. Speaking of which…” Miss Sandy salutes then stretches her hand to me.
They all laugh as I attempt to salute. Well! It’s hard with Mom holding me.
“What do we need for OSM? Quickly. Only the bare bones.”
“I’ll be right back.” Mom sets me down and heads indoors, with Hans right behind.
Dad explains about my condition. “…And she hasn’t needed the medication. Remember, if she overexerts for any length of time, she is likely to have a seizure. She’s been good about it but best to keep the meds handy and a sugary treat.”
“Will do. Our expedited transportation should be here momentarily. May we leave this vehicle here?”
“We have room in the barn.”
“Please keep it out of sight. Our colleague will be by soon to pick it up. I can’t tell you how appreciative we are, for everything. Thank you.”
“Just take care of our May. She is one special girl.”
He seems proud of me again. I’m so glad.
Miss Sandy hands him a card and key. “We will. Call this number with any information. We will keep working our end, and with OSM’s help, hopefully we’ll thwart this plot and capture some bad guys.”
Mom comes running down the steps. “Here’s a bag with her things. Hans also suggested May’s favorite, Joshua’s biscuits with enough for Sassy, plus some angel food cake, to remind y’all to come back soon. So much has happened, I can scarcely believe it.”
All at once, we dogs look to the northeast. Then the humans seem to hear. We watch until something breaks through the low clouds.
“A helicopter?” Mom’s jaw drops as Dad moves by her side.
Miss Sandy waves to the person driving it, then squats and pats her thigh. “Goodbye my little Hans. See you soon. AaaaAAAOOOooo.”
Hans blinks back his tears, putting his paws where she pats. “AaaaaAAAAAOOOOooo.” After she gives him a hug, he approaches me and whispers, “I knew it! You were rescued and now, you’ll rescue us. Isn’t that like the Creator? Keep a nose on Miss Sandy for me and I’ll do the same with Dad and Mom.”
“I will, Brother.”
He peeks over. “April’s been holding out. I’m going to talk with her, see if I can learn some skills too.”
I don’t know what to say, so I kiss him on the cheek. Thlbt. We see Sassy and April standing nose to nose. This time April starts, “If I don’t see you here–”
Sassy finishes with, “Ah’ll see you there.”
I kiss Hans again. “Yeah, I’ll see you back here.”
April rumbles, “Go get ‘em, Pest. Return safely.”
“HUA, Sister!”
The helicopter’s door swings open so I race over. Here Dad. Thhhllbbtttt. Here Mom. Thhlbt. Goodbye for now! I’ll be back!
Miss Sandy quickly introduces me to Pilot, the driver, then she straps me in nearest the door, sets Lobbie beside me, and shows me how to adjust my headset. She speaks through it too. Amazing! And it su
re helps the noise!
When we take off, she says something about incognito, and takes my measurements. What’s that about? She shows me a dragonfly up close. It’s almost keeping my mind off the fact we’re soaring through the air.
“To introduce the concept, know these drones can resemble anything common, like various insects or birds.”
I lock eyes with Sassy. “The one I found, out by the shed…was it yours?”
“Si, si. Outdated but suitable for that use. Ah am glad to know you are quick to assimilate.” She grins. “Now remember, we would detect the enemy’s device long before you would, OSM. But be alert all the same.”
“Did you ever find the birdie that flew off the porch?”
Her expression turns serious. “Ah. No. We lost track of it in the woods. The element of surprise might be gone, but perhaps not entirely.”
I peek out for a last glimpse of home. All the family is waving, and…Amazing! There’s the shed. I’ll have to remember so I can find it again. A bird’s eye view is really useful.
Speaking of birds, there’s– “Sassy! The drone! It just landed on the, what do you call them?” I point.
“The skids?” Sassy looks out, then barks to her partner, making several motions.
In seconds, Miss Sandy contacts Pilot, then straps herself into a harness. When the door opens, the wind whips my whiskers around. (I’m thankful for this seat strap.)
Oh NO! LOBBIE!
As it blows out the door, Miss Sandy grabs for it with her left hand, while reaching for the drone with her right.
Oh my Lobbie…Hope you have a soft landing.
Miss Sandy yanks the drone free but it smokes, then bursts into tiny pieces. Sassy seems alarmed but Miss Sandy says, “I’m alright.” She makes a circular motion with her arm and Pilot takes us back around.
Below, I see April run and disappear into the field. When her head pops up, she waves. She has Lobbie!
I try to be brave, but notice my glistening eyes in the reflection.
