The Spy Who Went Out to the Cold

“Only birds,” the first KAOS agent said.

“Birds?”

The KAOS agent pointed out the porthole. “Seagulls.”

Max scowled. “I wonder. .” He went to one of the portholes. Above it was posted a small sign, saying: Please Do Not Feed the Seagulls. “This explains it,” Max said. “He read this sign. One of the words reminded him of something. We’ll find him back at the helicopter.”

“One of these words reminded him of a helicopter?” the first KAOS agent said doubtfully. “Which one?”

“Seagull.”

“Is that another Sidney?” the second KAOS agent asked the first KAOS agent.

The first KAOS agent whistled shrilly. “Not just another,” he said. “That’s a super Sidney!”

“Max, we better get back there fast,” 99 said worriedly. “The helicopter engine was left running.”

Max and 99 raced back along the corridor, and, with the two KAOS agents right behind them, soon emerged on deck. They spotted Professor von BOOM seated in the helicopter, studying the controls.

“No!” Max shouted. “No, not that!”

Max sprinted ahead. The two KAOS agents increased their speed, too, trying to keep up with him.

Reaching the helicopter, Max leaped aboard. But the heel of his shoe-phone caught on the edge of the hatchway and he stumbled forward and fell against the controls. Immediately, the helicopter shot straight up into the air.

“Now, you did it!” Max complained to von BOOM.

“Me? I was looking for a way to shut off the engine so those two KAOS agents couldn’t escape. You’re the one who got us up in the air.”

“We seem to be still rising,” Max noted. “I wonder how this thing is operated? Another thing I wonder is how high we are.” He looked out the hatchway. To his surprise, he found that the two KAOS agents were dangling from the landing gear. “We have hitchhikers,” he said to von BOOM, pointing.

Von BOOM got up and looked out the hatchway. “They’re climbing up,” he said.

Max slipped into the pilot’s seat. “This machine ought to be easy enough to handle,” he said, examining the controls. “If I just move this stick-”

The helicopter flopped over on its back, dropping Max and von BOOM in a heap on the ceiling of the bubble.

From above them came a cry of panic. “Get Sidney away from them controls!”

“They’re still with us,” von BOOM commented. He looked down. “But that’s not the worst,” he said. “We’re rising downward.”

Struggling, Max reached the stick. The helicopter rolled over on its side.

“I think I’m getting the hang of it,” Max said.

“It’s better,” von BOOM agreed. “Now, we’re rising sideways.”

“Just a lit-tle adjustment. .” Max said, moving the stick.

The helicopter righted itself, and Max scrambled back into the pilot’s seat.

“They’re climbing again,” von BOOM informed him, peering out the hatchway.

“Easy does it,” Max said. He got hold of a handle and moved it slowly in reverse. Gradually, the helicopter began to descend. “Give me another few minutes, and I’d know this machine like the palm of my hand,” he said.

“I think we’re going to crash on the deck,” von BOOM warned.

Max shoved the handle forward. The helicopter shot back into the air.

From below came a shout of rage. “It’s not an elevator, Sidney! It’s a helicopter!”

“There’s always a grouch in the crowd,” Max grumbled.

Once more, he eased the handle in reverse, and the helicopter began another slow descent. This time, when they neared the deck, instead of yanking the handle backwards, Max held it steady.

“We’re hovering,” von BOOM advised him. “What now?”

“When I say ‘jump’-jump,” Max ordered.

“I’ll hit the deck.”

“That’s where we want to be,” Max pointed out.

Von BOOM thought for a moment, then nodded. “I don’t know how you managed it, but, for once, I think you’re right.”

“Jump!” Max shouted.

Von BOOM leaped out through the hatchway. An instant later, Max followed him. They hit the deck, rolled, then got to their feet. 99 ran up to them.

“Max-they’re getting away!” 99 cried, pointing to the sky.

The helicopter was rising swiftly, with the two KAOS agents still clinging to the gear.

“They’re not getting away, 99,” Max corrected her. “That’s the way I planned it. They’re heading out to sea. Out there, I don’t think they’ll be much trouble to us.”

“Max! That’s brilliant!”

Max turned and waved goodbye to the departing helicopter.

A cry of anguish, almost inaudible, came floating down. “Sidney! Sidney! Where are you when I need you, Sidney!”

Max, 99 and von BOOM returned to the deck chairs.

“Well, we’re safe now-at least, until we reach Africa,” Max said. “Maybe I better report in to the Chief and let him know how well things are going.”

“Right-you better do it now,” von BOOM said. “I have a feeling that it can’t last.”

“Nevermind, Max,” 99 said consolingly. “There’s always a grouch in the crowd.”

Max removed his shoe and dialed.

Operator: Is that you, Maxie? How’s the ol’ disgruntled taxpayer?

Max: Operator, I’m in no mood for switchboard humor. Will you just connect me with the Chief, please.

Operator: In trouble over your head again, Maxie?

Max: It so happens, Operator, that I am calling in to report nothing, so far, but total success.

Operator: It can’t last. I’ll keep the line open for five minutes.

Max: Five minutes? Why five minutes?

Operator: If you’re running true to form, by then you’ll be over your head in trouble again.

Max: Operator, let me talk to your supervisor.

Operator: Sorry, Maxie-she’s on vacation.

Max: You’re very fortunate. Now, will you please connect me with the Chief?

Operator: No can do, Maxie. He’s out. He left a message for you, though.

Max: Yes?

Operator: He said to tell you if you called in that with everybody out of town on vacation, he’s had no work to do.

Max (impatiently): So?

Operator: So he’s gone on vacation.

Max hung up and placed his shoe back on his foot.

“What is it, Max?” 99 asked, concerned.

Sulking, Max did not reply.

“This is a unique crowd,” von BOOM said. “It has two grouches.”