Kit's Gambit

"Courage is being scared to death-but saddling up anyway"-John Wayne

November 9th 1937, sunset-

Kit sat on the floor of his thinking spot, legs spread and arms hanging limply in front of him, staring out at the sea and the setting sun. He sat there looking out but not focusing. He gazed out with what soldiers called 'The Thousand Yard Stare'. He had been sitting alone there for the better part of an hour after taking refuge in his hiding place shortly after the Iron Vulture had returned to Pirate Island. He hadn't slept since the night before the raid on the Queen of the Skies and he was now mentally and physically exhausted.

In the immediate aftermath of the botched hijacking, the crew had monitored radio frequencies and learned that a couple of passing freighters had managed to rescue 49 survivors from the sea. 49 out of 133, that meant that 82 had perished. There were unconfirmed reports that the world's third richest man, Baron Erich Riebolt, was presumed to have died in the attack.

Kit thought about all of those innocent people that had their lives ended in the ill-fated hijacking. He thought about the few children that he saw aboard the airship. He remembered the young girl wolf that had glared at him with accusation in her eyes. Her gaze made him feel wrong. Ashamed was a better word. He felt ashamed of what had happened. He felt empty. Did she survive? He wondered.

The total realization of what he had taken part in hit him hard. Eighty two people died all because of our greed. I destroyed the radios, I got the others aboard, I'm responsible! I didn't want it to end like it did! I just wanted to finally prove myself to Karnage and the others. I tried to stop the violence! I thought that maybe I could talk some sense into them, but I failed and eighty two people died! It's my fault…and the others fault. We thought this was the big score but now innocent people are dead! All for greed! I didn't deserve to get away none of us did for what we caused!

The guilt came crashing into Kit and soon the cub was wracked by a bout of dry heaving. He doubled over and struggled to gain control of himself. He felt sick, disgusted in himself for his role in the hijacking. He felt that there was as much blood on his hands as the rest of the hijackers. He regained his composure and sagged to the ground and lay staring up at the tunnel's roof. I can't do this anymore. This isn't what it was supposed to be. I thought it was going to be different. Here I am, stuck on this bleak island, surrounded by a pack of cut-throats, led by a psyche-case captain with delusions of grandeur who was the first one to run away when everything went wrong, and to top it off, I'm as guilty as they are! I can't do this! This wasn't a game anymore. He had to change. Rising to his feet he looked out at the blood-red sky and made the most important decision of his young life: I'm getting out.

November 17th 1937-

"Ahhhhhh, what is this? This is very interesting me thinks," said Karnage as he examined paperwork that he had snatched from the hands of a captured Khan pilot that had been forced to land his plane in the water. The documents had been taken from a nondescript sealed envelope that was up front with the pilots.

"What is it boss?" asked Maddog.

"Imbecile, I just asked that question!" snapped Karnage, "If I knew what it was I wouldn't have said 'what is this?'"

"Look Karnage, its nothing. It's probably all just some newfangled project that won't work," said the panther pilot. His co-pilot nodded in agreement.

"If that is so, then why would you care if I take it?" asked Karnage. The wolf took a closer look at the paperwork and the characteristics of the item it discussed. "Hmmmmm very intriguing. I think I shall take this to Ratchet."

"What are you going to do with the paperwork boss?" asked Maddog.

"If I, with my limitless intelligence am correct, then I am going to use this to make me rich!"

"What about the pilots?"

Karnage looked at the pilot and smiled, "Leave them with their plane. They can explain this to Khan."

Hearing this, the pilots gulped nervously.

Pirate Island, later that night-

"Capt'n, According to these documents this project is aimed at harnessing energy…limitless energy," said Ratchet.

"Go on," replied Karnage.

"Apparently Khan Industries has spent several years and millions of dollars to make some sort of revolutionary type of energy source that can generate a staggering amount of electrical energy. The project was headed by one Doctor Edgar Debolt and to date only one has been made."

The wolf mechanic went onto discuss the details of the mulit-million dollar project. He explained to Karnage how the ruby-like stone could be used to power entire city districts. The stone could also discharge thousands of volts of electricity that could be focused into a steady beam of raw power. Hearing this part, Karnage's eyes went wide. I wonder…could this finally be my ticket to getting into Cape Suzette? This could allow me to orchestrate the greatest plunder of all time! All I need is this stone!

"Ratchet," said Karnage.

"Yes Capt'n."

"I have a brilliant idea! Let's go and take a closer look at the cannon I stole from Sultan," said Karnage who then paused, "And grab your copy of Do it Yourself Electronics, we have important work to discuss." With that, Karnage picked up the Khan document entitled, Sub-Electron Amplifier: Overview and Practical Applications, and headed for Ratchet's workshop.

People were running everywhere. Screams of panic added to the cacophony of pandemonium that filled the dining room. Smoke permeated the air and heat scalded the terror-stricken passengers. Crewmen forced parachute-wearing people out of windows, but there weren't enough to go around. Men shouted orders that were barely heard over the screams of horror.

He was knocked to the floor by crewman and lay their pinned under him as a throng of people fought one another for parachutes. He struggled to free himself, but it was no use. The heat was becoming unbearable and the thick smoke chocked him and made his eyes water. Suddenly the airship was rocked by a blast and it lurched down tail first. The ship was going down. He panicked as he attempted to push the fallen crewman off of him, but it was no use. He looked left and right and his eyes fell on a well-dressed fox that stood perfectly calm amid the chaos. The fox was staring at him with a stern, accusing face. The fox suddenly disappeared in a flash or brilliant white heat that caused him to shut his eyes and look away from the roaring flames. He opened his eyes and found himself looking up at a girl wolf. The girl had an expression that was part anger and part pity. Then she shot her finger at him in a gesture of accusation. He turned his head away and cried out in shame and despair as the entire cabin area erupted into flames…

Kit woke with a startled gasp and sat bolt upright in his bunk. He panted heavily and could feel his heart pounding in his chest. His limbs shook and he immediately drew his legs to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. Brief images of the nightmare flitted through his mind and disappeared, leaving the cub with a profound sense of shame. He knew what the nightmare was about. He sank back down and lie looking up at the ceiling and fell back asleep to thoughts of escaping.

November 18th, 1937-

Kit stood leaning up against a bulkhead deep inside the Iron Vulture and twirled his yo-yo in and out of his palm. He found the exercise had a calming effect on him. It helped him to focus his mind. He had been doing an awful lot of thinking since the disaster aboard the Queen of the Skies. He had been trying to formulate a plan to escape from Don Karnage and the others, but so far he had nothing. How would he do it? Where would he go afterward? And most importantly, what were the odds of him actually succeeding? He knew one thing; he had to leave this life behind. What had started out as a chance for adventure and flying had turned into almost a year of crime and guilt. He had directly contributed to thievery, assaults, and the deaths of 82 people. This last fact made him close his eyes and grit his teeth, It was all because of me, he thought.

The cub took a deep sigh and thought to himself, 'Stop feeling sorry for yourself Cloudkicker cause no one's feeling sorry for you. It wasn't just you that was responsible. But now you have a responsibility to yourself to set things right and make up for what you did. You went from being McCloud to being Cloudkicker so you can go from air pirate to good guy. All you need is an opportunity…and a plan.

Kit's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices. Someone was approaching him. "It's the Captain!"

"It's a ruby that Khan has and I want it! It will make me very very more rich!" said Karnage.

"But Capt'n what makes you think we can get it?" asked Maddog.

"Because I, your muy intelligente capitane have discovered from our captured paperwork that this stone will be in transit from Cape Suzette to mainland Usland. It is only a matter of time before we find the plane that it is on."

"What if Khan doesn't send it there?"

"My dear, less intelligent minion, Khan is so sure of himself and his company that he feels that he can do anything he wants whenever he wants. So I, being very observant, have realized that the tiger will no doubt stick to his schedule and send this ruby to Usland on schedule which gives us less than two weeks to get it and make me richer!"

"Boss, how much is it worth? I heard you say it was the size a hand."

"It will be worth far more than you think Maddog," replied Karnage who relished in the possibilities of untold riches that would be awaiting him once he got that stone.

Just then Karnage and Maddog rounded the corner and came face to face with Kit who stood against a bulkhead with his red yo-yo in hand.

"Ahhhhh, hello young one, how is my favorite ball of fur doing today?" asked Karnage.

"Ummm pretty swell Capt'n, just looking forward to some action."

"That is what I like to hear," said Karnage as he and Maddog moved off down the corridor as they talked about their upcoming heist.

A ruby the size of hand! Kit thought, that could be my ticket to getting out of here! With this thought the cub scampered down the corridor toward his bunk area. He felt a plan forming in his mind.

Cape Suzette, November 20th, 1937-

Doctor Edgar Debolt sat in his office in the Research and Development Department inside Khan Tower. The short rabbit looked at the latest report regarding Project Jewel with interest. The report stated that the fabricated crystal could indeed generate and store immense amounts of electricity. However the crystal was extremely volatile and highly unstable under all but the most secure of conditions. He thought to the accidental electrocution of two of his lab assistants. That had occurred five days ago and both men were still in the intensive care ward of Cape Suzette Memorial Hospital. It was his opinion that Project Jewel, as ambitious in its scope as it was, was nowhere near ready for commercial use. Mr. Khan's mulit-million dollar pet project was much too risky to be allowed to be put to use. Debolt dreaded telling his boss that and instead had opted to have the device flown from Cape Suzette to Khan Industries' newly acquired Scientific Applications Corporation in San't Diego Kalifornia. SAC had some of the best minds at work in the field of electrical engineering and was headed by Doctor Howard Buzz. Dr. Buzz had been sent to oversee Khan's new acquisition last month and was due to be on site until the spring. If anyone could hammer out Project Jewel's bugs it was Buzz. Khan had agreed to the transfer of the stone, with the underlying threat that failure was not an option, and so the ruby-red stone was scheduled to leave for San't Diego in a week's time. In the meantime, important documents had been sent to SAC ahead of the stone's arrival. Unfortunately that plane had been hijacked by air pirates. With luck the crew had managed to destroy the courier package with the project overview.

"Little jewel, your secrets maybe too dangerous, but maybe we can find a way to make you safe," said Debolt to the picture of the ruby-like stone, "All we need is a little more time."

Little did the rabbit know that his courier package had not been destroyed. The pilots had filed a false report in order to save their jobs and now the knowledge of the project and its potential were in the hands of the most dangerous man in the entire Pacific.

Pirate Island, November 23rd 1937-

"So Capt'n, when's the next big heist?" Kit asked innocently.

"Ready to go and plunder some more my little protégé?"

"Well I've been getting antsy," said Kit with a smile that he hoped would fool his boss.

Karnage looked at his young apprentice and couldn't help but smile. The boy was worth his weight in gold. He had a certain spark in him that made him stand out from the rest of his pirates. Despite his youth, the cub consistently went above and beyond his fellow pirates. The boy had succeeded in paving the way for the heist on the Queen of the Skies, of course that had ended badly, but still the boy was good at what he did. The boy had a bright future, he had no doubt about it, the boy would go places.

"My boy, I will give you a little teeny-tiny hint: Very soon, I the Great Don Karnage will lead us to the biggest score in history!"

"What is it Capt'n?"

"You will see my boy, you will see," said Karnage as he patted Kit on the head. Ah yes, he is so eager and so promising. I am so very fortunate to have such a capable boy as my protégé!

As Kit stood there with Karnage patting his head he thought to himself, Take yer stinking, cowardly paws off of me you ego-maniac nut job! In a few days I am going to steal your biggest score for myself! Let's see how you like that! "Gee-whiz Capt'n, I can hardly wait!"

Pirate Island, November 24th, 1937-

"What the heck does the Capt'n want with all of this junk?" asked Hal as he looked over the assortment of glassware, copper rods, and electrical cable.

"Ya got me Hal, all I know is that ol 'Ratchet has been workin' pretty much round the clock," said Sadie.

"Yeah guys, the Capt'n has had him in his shop for about a week and no one but the Capt'n is allowed in there," said Maddog.

"Well we need to go back to stealing stuff that's worth money! Besides if we keep robbing Khan as much as we have been the he's liable to send out his private air force," said Hal.

At that moment Ratchet walked out and instructed the others to load the assorted odds and ends on a dolly which he then rolled into his workshop. He closed and locked the door and then turned to gaze at his work: the Miniversal cannon was now mounted on a stolen rail car chassis. It was in the process of being fitted with various electrical components and a new control array. Ratchet smiled at his work in progress and then set about inventorying his latest materials.

Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, 1937-

Kit spent Thanksgiving Day eating stolen turkey with the rest of the air pirates. Although Thanksgiving was an Usland Holiday and the majority of the pirates weren't Uslanders, Karnage(himself not an Uslander) had decided to celebrate the holiday with a big feast.

"My noble air pirates, I may have your attention," said Karnage who stood at the head of the table, "I would like you all to be thankful for the riches we have plundered for me and to be more thankful for the plundering yet to come!"

"Here! here!" responded the pirates.

"Very soon we will be setting out for more riches! Where those riches are I will not say at this time, but you will be supporting yours truly, which is I, in the plundering of great riches so be thankful that you will have this opportunity!" said the wolf as he raised his glass into the air. The others followed suit and Karnage said, "To being thankful for riches on Thanksgiving Day! Salut!" And with that the pirates toasted their thanks of present and future riches.

Kit drank his toast, but he wasn't thankful for any sort of plunder. He had finally come to his senses and decided to do the right thing and leave the air pirates; and for that he was truly thankful.

November 26th, 1937-

Kit sat in his thinking spot and went over his plan in his head again: O Kit, let's take it from the top. Tomorrow we leave out and lay in wait along the air lanes. Karnage will have us hiding in the clouds as usual and he will have his guys ready to go. He said he wanted me on it, but I'll be faking being sick, maybe food poisoning or something! I'll pretend to have a really upset stomach and he'll leave me back on the Vulture. I'll lie around in my bunk until I know they've has left. Next its up the air vent and through the air ducts. I'll make my way through the ducts until I get to the bridge. Karnage is sure to go there once he's back so he can show off his prize. Then comes the fun part: I'll jump out of the air duct, grab the jewel, and beat feet outta there. Then it gets tricky: I'll have to duck and dodge anyone I come across and keep Karnage and the others far enough behind me. It'll be down the stairs to the armory. I'll swipe a grapnel rifle and then make for the beak. Then I just got to hope I'll have the guts to go through with the next part. Once I'm on the ground all I'll have to do is hop a ride to Cape Suzette and then go and see Mr. Khan and then I'll be set for life! Kit smiled at this final thought, but then calculated his odds. He would have to crawl a few hundred feet through the air ducts without being heard, steal the jewel from Karnage(providing that Karnage went straight to the bridge and not to his quarters), run away from Karnage, dodge any pirates he may encounter, get to the armory and hope no one was in there at the moment, jump from the ship, surf down, hope that he wasn't too high up, hope there were planes around, get into Cape Suzette with Karnage hunting him down, and hope to God that Khan rewarded him. When the cub factored in all of the obstacles he would face and all of the worse case scenarios, he realized that the odds were stacked against him. He figured he had less than a 10 percent chance of actually succeeding in getting off of the Iron Vulture and maybe a 15 percent chance that he'd come across a plane. If not, well he didn't want to think about that. He also knew that Karnage would stop at nothing to get his jewel back. That included killing. Kit's heart jumped when the reality of the odds set in and he began to second guess himself. Maybe being a pirate isn't so bad. Maybe I can get a good-sized portion of the plunder…NO! Don't think that way Cloudkicker! These guys are dangerous. They're a bunch of murderous thugs and criminals with a madman as a leader. They'll only keep stealing and killing anyone that stands in their way. This is your chance to finally make a better life for yourself. Opportunities like this a rare so take the chance. If you make it then you'll be on easy street. If you don't…well let's not think about that.

Cape Suzette, that afternoon-

Dr. Debolt gently placed the ruby-like jewel inside the small treasure box and shut the lid. The box was a bit dramatic, but he felt that such a creation that had so much potential deserved to be regarded as a treasure. Besides, he figured that Buzz would get a kick out of it.

His phone began ringing and the scientist picked it up. "Hello, this is Doctor Debolt."

"Doctor, this is Mrs. Snarly. Mr. Khan wanted me to reiterate to you that he is only allowing the stone to leave based on your recommendations and he said, and quote, 'I will be most displeased if anything were to happen to my stone,' end quote."

"I figured he'd say something like that," the rabbit muttered to himself.

"He also said that there would be, quote, 'severe repercussions,' if anything happened to it."

Debolt gulped and absentmindedly pulled on his left ear. "Ummm, why are you telling me this and not Mr. Khan?"

Agatha Snarly didn't seem amused by this obvious ploy to bait her; "Mr. Khan is currently in a very important meeting and trusted me to relay his message. Of course I can interrupt his very important meeting and let him know that you'd rather him deliver his message to you personally doctor."

"No, no Mrs. Snarly that won't be necessary. I'll take care of everything. Mr. Khan doesn't have to worry about anything…"

"Good." Click went the connection as the shrew secretary hung up on Debolt.

Pirate Island, later that night-

Kit pulled off his green sweater and laid it next to his bunk. He placed his airfoil, yo-yo, and his toothbrush next to it. He flipped off the light and laid back and pulled the sheets over him, yawning in the process. He was tired and about ready to pass out. Tomorrow was the big day: Escape. He felt nervous and apprehensive about the odds he would be facing. He wouldn't admit it, but he was scared. Ever since he was young he had always tried to hide his fears behind a mask of confidence and cockiness. He had been through a lot and always managed to come out on top, but this was different. This time he'd be risking his life to escape from some of the most dangerous men in the world and he'd need all the courage he could muster. He knew he might not make it out of this one alive. That thought sent a shiver through his bones. The cub looked up at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and got out of bed. He then did something that he hadn't done since he was a little kid. He knelt down, put his hands together, and prayed.

"OK God, I know I don't do this much, er or ever, but please hear my prayer: Please Lord, give me the courage to go through with this and let me get away with this." He thought that that last part sounded selfish, so he added, "I'm sorry for all of the bad things I've done especially since I joined the air pirates. I know I'm no angel, I'm not even close, but I want to turn my life around and do the right thing. If I get out of this mess alive, I promise that I'll do my best to be a better person and to help people. Please," he paused a moment than continued, "Please help me out Lord, Amen." He crossed himself and then got back into bed. He was asleep in less than a minute.

November 27th, 1937-

The Iron Vulture lifted off from the channel leading into Pirate Island and made its way northwest in order to intersect with the Cape Suzette/Kalifornia shipping lane. Kit had woken up early, grabbed his stuff, and joined up with the crew. He felt rested for the first time in a long while. It was a little after eight in the morning and he figured that the Khan plane wouldn't show until the afternoon, if it showed at all. Apparently Karnage had some paperwork with the date of the Khan airplane's flight. If the plane didn't show then he would be stuck with the pirates a little longer.

"Ready for today my boy?" asked Karnage as he strolled over to Kit on the ship's bridge.

"Ummm, ah I feel kinda sick Capt'n," said Kit. He hadn't expected Karnage to sneak up behind him and he was almost caught off guard.

"Sick? Sick how?" asked Karnage.

"I, um…its my stomach. I think I ate something that I didn't agree with," Kit said with a miserable sounding voice.

"Hmmmm, perhaps it was leftovers from Turkey Day," said the wolf as he scratched his chin.

"Maybe it i-, ooooffff!" Kit doubled over with his arms around his stomach, "Urgh, my stomach…it feels like I want to throw up!"

"Are you alright my little ball of fur?" asked Karnage with a touch of genuine concern.

"I think so but, ahhhh ick, I uh…maybe I should go and try to throw up and get it out of my system," Kit said and then ran out of the bridge.

Kit made a detour and snagged a can of potato soup from the galley along with a can opener and made toward the nearest latrine. He opened up the can in a side corridor next to the latrine and looked at the grayish-white soup. "Oh yeah, this'll definitely do." Maybe my gamble might actually pay off!

"So Will, when is this plane supposed to get here? I can't wait to see what the boss keeps going on about," said Maddog to the second mate.

"It'll be a couple more hours I thin-Hey! Look at this," Will said as he pointed to Kit.

Kit had heard the two pirates coming down the catwalk and decided to make his move. He took a big gulp of soup, hid the can, and ran toward the catwalk. He made a show of attempting to reach the latrine but stopped and forcibly ejected the soup out his mouth.

The two air pirates watched as the boy projectile vomited onto the floor in front of the latrine and then lean against a bulkhead. Both instantly looked at the cub in disgust and then began to laugh.

"HAHAHAHA! Are you alright Kit? Hehehe," asked Maddog with a laugh.

"Uhhhhh," was all Kit said.

"I think he's got the stomach flu or somthin' Maddog," said Will.

"Hey guys can you tell the Capt'n to count me out for this? I feel like garbage," said Kit in a sickly sounding voice.

"Hey no problem Kit, besides I don't want you giving me what you've got," said Maddog with a smile.

"Go ahead and go to yer bunk. I'll let the Capt'n know yer sick," said Will.

"OK, thanks guys," said Kit as he pushed open the latrine door and went inside. He stood near the door for a few moments and then peaked out and saw that the two had left. "Suckers!"

"What? He projection-tiled vomited? HAHAHA That is so funny!" laughed Don Karnage.

"Yeah boss, there's no way he'd be up for the job. He'd be liable to get sick on the plane and puke everywhere," said Maddog.

"Oh well the boy will just have to miss this one," said Karnage. But I am sure that the boy will be ready for the main event! Oh good peoples of Cape Suzette, you better get ready for the greatest pirate in the world!

Cape Suzette-

Khan Industries Flight 127 raced down the runway and rose into the late morning sky. Its two man crew had received their normal shipment of cargo and a little something extra. Before they boarded their plane a black Roars Royce pulled up and out stepped a small, spectacle wearing rabbit who identified himself as Doctor Edgar Debolt. Debolt handed them a small treasure box and a document explaining who it was intended for. A tiger bodyguard with a steely-eyes expression explained to them that they were to keep the box safe at all costs, at all costs.

"If this is so important then why isn't it flying with fighter escorts?" asked the pilot.

"Security knows that that would draw too much attention from corporate spies and air pirates and if the plane is boarded the box is small enough for you to hide," answered the dour-faced tiger.

"Gentlemen please, whatever you do, make sure that the box isn't jostled around," said Dr. Debolt.

"We'll take care of it doctor," said the copilot.

A few minutes later Dr. Debolt watched as the plane climbed into the sky with its precious cargo. Hopefully Buzz will be able to improve on it, he thought as he climbed into the car and was driven back to Khan Tower.

Aboard that Iron Vulture-

"Capt'n! I can see a plane approaching!" said Maddog excitedly.

"Are you sure it is not another independent type plane?" asked Karnage.

"No boss, it's got Khan markings and I can see the paint scheme and the insignia."

Hearing this Karnage jumped up from his seat, grabbed his intercom, and loudly said, "My pirates to your planes!"

Kit's head shot up from his pillow as he heard Karnage give his order over the intercom.

"It's showtime!" he said as he jumped out of bed.

Karnage and his men took off from the Iron Vulture in pursuit of the Khan plane. The pirate leader was giddy with excitement as he thought about the jewel he was about to steal. Soon he, the Great Don Karnage, would be putting the jewel to use in the greatest plundering in history!

Kit pulled himself up into the air duct and proceeded to crawl toward the bridge. He had a few hundred feet to go and, as a precaution he had taken a blanket with him that he could rest his knees on. He used the blanket as a cushion and as a means of keeping his knees from getting too sore. What good would sore knees do him when he would need to be running later?

After over an hour of crawling around the air ducts he reached bridge. He slowly inched his way forward, careful so as to avoid making noise and giving his position away. He paused at the grate that was above a desk and waited. Despite being scared to death he was ready to go through with his plan. Now all I got to do is sit and wait.

Kit didn't have to wait for long. The sound of voices alerted him: Karnage was back! He peered through the grate and saw his soon to be ex-boss swipe away papers and other assorted things from the desk. He then placed a small treasure box down on the desktop. Get ready Cloudkicker…

"At last the key to my future!" Karnage said with a half insane laugh. "Riches my men, riches beyond your limited insignificant dreams! But not beyond mine! For soon I, Don Karnage, shall be the wealthiest man in the World!"

NOW!

Just as Karnage finished talking, Kit fell out of the air duct and landed on the desk in front of Karnage. The pirate leader flinched back and gave Kit the opportunity to grab the treasure box.

"For me? Aw you shouldn't have!" said Kit with boyish innocence as he cradled the box in his arms. Then he was off the table and running.

"Well it was nothing really," Karnage said, momentarily oblivious to what Kit had just done. Then it dawned on him, "STOP THAT BOY!"

Kit ran out of the bridge, into a corridor then hung a right into another corridor. He ran down the nearest stairs with Karnage hot in tow and came face to face with Dumptruck.

"Just don't stand there! The Captain needs your help!" he said to air pirate as he continued on his way. The less than intelligent pirate made to run toward his captain and ended up colliding with him. Karnage went sprawling with the force of the blow.

Kit went down more steps, swung onto another set of stairs and continued bounding down them with Karnage back in pursuit. He jumped onto the hand rail and slid down, waving to Karnage as he went.

"Get him you idiots!" Karnage screamed to his men.

Kit reached out and grabbed onto a nearby rope and swung down to the next level. He narrowly missed swinging into Sadie and Ratchet. The two pirates made to grab for him but they missed and collided into one another and went spinning around with the impact.

Kit let go of the rope and ran into the armory and up to a rack of weapons. He snagged a grapnel gun from the rack and then turned to look over his left shoulder. If anyone was in the armory when Kit grabbed his rifle, they would've noticed the expression that crossed his face. The cub had a look on his face that could only be described as dangerous. It was a look that would've frozen a person in their tracks. It was the type of look that belied his young age. The look conveyed one message: Do not mess with me.

The cub looked around and ran out of the armory toward the open beak of the ship. He sprinted to the edge and stopped inches from going over.

"What!" he said as he noticed that there was no land beneath him. He had figured that the ship would've gone over land, but instead it was over the ocean. He hadn't planned for this. Uh-oh.

Don Karnage walked up behind the cub with Sadie and Ratchet close behind. The boy had finally run out of places to run. Now he would pay for his little stunt.

"Well my reckless reptile, perhaps it is none of my business but uh you've gotten yourself in a tiny piccolo, yes no?" said Don Karnage as he saw Kit look over his shoulder at him.

Kit hesitated a moment and then and said sarcastically, "You know, it is none of your business!" Then he took the biggest step in his life: He turned away from the pirate leader, looked down at the sea of clouds below him, and stepped off into the air.

As Kit went over the edge and into the cloudy sky he smiled and said to himself, "I am Cloudkicker!"

"I've seen angels fall from blinding heights but you yourself are nothing so divine"-Chris Cornell