I don't know how she does it. Ya could tell by the slightly pinched brow that we were in for a mighty serious talk, but her eyes shined with peace, love, and hope. Grandma Chrys began by mind-speakin'. "Thank you for coming. The topside troubles you have experienced recently are horrible to say the least. We have all looked on in amazement as you two handled each problem intelligently, and effectively. You cope with difficulties better than most adults. That is why I put so much trust in you."

I saw Freck's face flush. It hid her freckles. I felt a tad warm myself. It ain't everyday ya get a compliment like that from such an important person.

She went on, "Topside has not been alone in problems created by the Crash. Not only have we had difficulties here in the Kingdom, but other in-worlds cry out for help. We do everything we can, but your lairbeast escapes took precedence over everything else. The cost in keeper lives was tragic, but a necessary price to pay. I thank the Gardner everyday that you were not harmed."

Her eyes got moist and released a single crystalline tear.

"Sorry kids, I get emotional when I think about losing you to those demented creatures." She paused to get herself together then continued, "As grievous as the losses to our two in-worlds, many have suffered much more. You can just imagine how thin we had to spread to our resources.

"There is another matter weighing heavily on my mind. We previously sent you on a search for the lost Arianni people and the city of Shamballah. We could have lost you in those caves, but again, praise the Gardner, we did not. Still it has become even more important in the light of recent events that we establish contact with them. We need you to try once more."

I was shocked, "I ain't gonna go anywhere near those deathtrap caves again!" I almost mind-shouted.

"Me either!" Freck exclaimed.

"Oh, no, no, no. We would never ask that of you. The tunnel routes have proven much too risky. This time we would have you mirror the route taken by Admiral Byrd. You will fly in a similar airplane to the one he used, and enter through the hole on the top of the world. The timing must be now because of the disarray caused by the Crash. The site has been under constant military guard, but all the troops were called home. They had more urgent matters to attend to. We believe that no one will be on location at the North Pole to interfere with you.

"Gee will travel with you this time. Now that you have learned cooperative cigam the three of you should be able to handle any danger that arises."

I asked, "When do you want us to go?"

"Under the circumstances, immediately is not too soon. Everything you require is already packed and on the plane."

"Wow," Freck commented, "that's faster than a pinky sworn secret goes through a slumber party. Do we tell our parents?"

"Of course, both of you need to let them know about the plans to get their approval. I will be happy to speak with them too—if you wish."

Momma and Mrs. Anderton were both in the kingdom so's we could talk face to face. Our daddies were in Burns. Almost as soon as I thought it Momma came through the butterfly doors with Mizzus Anderton followin'. Grandma Chrys asked us, "Do you want to tell them, or should I?" We didn't have to say anythin'. She read our minds, then told them the same thing she told us.

When she was done, we participated and in group mind-speak with our daddies. No one was jumpin' for joy over it. I think they were hopin' we'd get a break, but they understood the importance of the quest, after Grandma Chrys explained the urgency. I don't know about Freck, but I warn't lookin' forward ta this.

We took long lingerin' hugs from our mommas. Shared some tears. Got advice from our daddies, and b'fore we knew it, we was off.

▫️▫️▫️

The watervator delivered us to the solvers dock. Uncle Ren was waitin' there for us. I was thrilled to see him. The last time we was together he was helpin' us fight the third lairbeast. He looked relaxed now. I asked if he was comin' with us, he said, "Not this time. We will fly you to a hidden airstrip Topsid where your airplane awaits. Do not worry, you will not be alone. In addition to Gee, you will travel with the pilot, co-pilot, navigator, two medics and a cook."

Freck said, "It won't be the same without you."

"As much as I would like to go too, I cannot. The plane is filled to capacity."

I think we already suspected that, but it was hard to say goodbye.

The floater delivered us to the airstrip as promised. The crew was human. Nary a Keeper among them. I wondered how that was arranged. They didn't seem surprised by the floater, but they were nonplussed by Gee. They didn't expect to see a giant, bright chrome-gray, salamander. I explained, "Gee is my pet. He's been 'round since I was a baby. Just think of him as a hairless dog." Gee jumped up at me and nuzzled in my backpack for a red ball. We played fetch until the crew began to see him as a pet, an odd pet, but just a pet.

The airplane was an aging DC-3 with the words "Adventure Tours: Flying For Your Thrill." on its sides.  Near the nose was a painted picture of a standin' bear. Gee said they called the plane Ol' Grizz. It looked sturdy enough. The crew introduced themselves ta us. The pilot was retired Major Bob "Bobcat" Haskins. The friendly copilot was Sam Waterfall. Stern lookin' Sandy Dunn, in a green one piece jumpsuit, was the navigator. The medical team was comprised of smilin' Traci Banks and Robert, not Bob, Openshaw. Finally the cook, who said his name so fast, in a thick accent that I didn't get it. He told us to just call him Cookie like everyone else.

They'd all been briefed on where we were goin'. The only ones nervous was me and Freck. Thank the Gardener, Gee was with us. Otherwise I would'a bailed right then and there.

Captain Major Bobcat Haskins tol' us what ta expect. He said we'd make three stops for refueling and rest. Each leg of the journey would take 'bout six hours. The first stop was upstate New York. The second was Newfoundland, and the third, Greenland. From Nuuk, Greenland it was only 900 miles ta the pole. He insisted we keep our jump-seat belts buckled at all times. 'Cuz the engines were piston driven, we could expect a bumpy, noisy flight. The plane, he said, was designed more for utility than comfort. I knew that as soon as I sat down. Now I was less worried about survivin' the trip than I was of livin' through the flight.

Gee spoke ta us. "These people are the very best at what they do. They are seasoned adventurers. You can trust them with your lives."

"We are." I thought back.

"If either of you start feeling sick just go into your cigam place and imagine yourselves in a less foreboding situation. I'll use cooperative cigam to help make it more peaceful for you. You might enjoy this flight more than you now think.

The takeoff was smooth—I guess. Since this was my first ride in an airplane, I didn't have anythin' ta compare it ta. Unless you're countin' floaters. Next to floaters the airplane sounded like a steel barrel full of scrap metal tumblin' down a rocky hillside. I wondered if it would be this noisy the entire flight. If so, it was good that me, Freck, and Gee could talk mind-ta-mind otherwise we'd hafta shout all the time.

Gee told us that a Cigam Master controls volume, but since we couldn't do that yet, he produced noise blockin' headphones for us. I put mine on right away. What a relief. I could still feel the rattlin' vibrations, but couldn't hear much no more. I've gotta get me some of these. Maybe Gee would let me take them. It would come in real handy sometimes, like when I get into trouble, and I don't wanna hear the yak, yak, yak, or when the kid down the street is practicin' his trombone playin'. He's so bad it shivers my spine.

Freck asked me a question. I could tell because she tilted her head slightly, raised an eyebrow, and her mouth was movin'. I could hear nary a word. I took off the headphones and yelled, "What did you say?"

"I said, can you hear me with those things on? I guess I answered my own question." And then she shouted, "Maybe we should just mind-speak."

I put my headphones back on and telepathed, "These headphone thingies are the coolest. Do ya like them as much as me?"

"More, prob'ly. Ya ain't livin' with five noisy brothers."

She was right 'bout that.

"Gee said we will learn how to control sounds. Wouldn't it be great to hear only what you wanted? Instead of bustin'  my eardrums when Daddy and my brothers watch sports on TV, it would be peacefully quiet. Ahhhh."

With all the shakin' going on in the plane, I started feeling sick. I went to my cigam place and imagined bein' wrapped in a giant shock-absorbing marshmallow. Gee laughed. "I think the crew would notice that, and it might make them hungry."

I laughed.

Freck pictured somethin' more like a transparent air mattress filled with a warm gel and covered top to bottom with a soft blanket material. She said, "Would somethin' like that work?"

Gee made it happen. Ta the crew it looked like we was wrapped in ordinary blankets. This invented cocoon worked like a charm. I was so comfortable I fell asleep. I'm pretty sure Freck did too. There's nothin' like getting a good nap when travelin'—time passes quicker.

I didn't wake up until we were comin' in for a landin'. Gee told us that we were touchin' down on a private airstrip in Upper New York State. We needed to refuel and give the crew a rest. The owner was a Keeper. He invited us all ta have dinner, and stay the night. No one said no.

Over dinner we discussed plans for the next day. Our next stoppin' place was Newfoundland. Apparently there was another private Keeper airstrip there also. I ain't thought about it before, but it made sense. Keepers were always comin' and goin'. Some Topside forms of travel had ta be used ta get from place to place. That was unavoidable. With private airstrips, and chartered planes, Keeper's activity might not be noticed. Their job required a low profile.

It was a good thing we were stayin' with a Keeper. He was thrilled to host such honorary guests and 'specially the renowned salamander, Gee. The crew thought him a pet, but not him. He was so excited that he had his maid take a whole bunch'a pictures ta frame. By the time we returned they would be back from processing. He wondered if we would autograph them, it was just like a baseball card signed by a favorite player.  Freck and me celebrities? Naw. I still couldn't get used to the idea.

The next mornin' we boarded the plane again, and were off ta Newfoundland. Our pilot said we'd land on a private strip near the town of St. Johns. It was another long flight, but our travel-cocoons (what I called 'em) kept us comfortable and warm. Our earphones cut out most of the noise. "Gee," I reached out, "I'll bet that these cocoons would sell like hotcakes Topside. We could start a company and make 'em. What'd ya think?"

Gee replied, "Maybe when you are older. You and Freck have plenty to occupy you in the foreseeable future. Becoming Cigam Masters is no easy task. You do still want to master it, right?"

"You bet!" Freck jumped in, "Ever since I learned about cigam I cain't think of nuthin' else. There are worlds ta see, people ta meet, and adventure. Why would anyone want to get stuck runnin' an earthbound business?"

I protested, "Just because I was wonderin' doesn't mean I really wants ta do it. Sheesh." A little while later I fell ta sleep and dreamed I was a powerful Cigam Master.