8 Mission accomplished

Chapter Eight MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Kiki and Connor sat on the bridge, watching the crew of The Explorer out in the bright, cold Arctic air. They were putting all their research equipment back into the correct positions, and moving crates and winches around the deck. The ship had pulled up to a concrete dockside, and on the shore, delivery trucks were bringing fresh supplies.

Soon, Dr. Andersen and his team would sail deep into the Arctic Circle to complete their important research. It was vital that they stock up on all the food and drink they would need. It would be several months before they returned to shore.

Dr. Mikkelsen was standing at the controls of the ship with Dr. Andersen. "Do you want to lower the ramp, Kiki?" offered Dr. Mikkelsen. Kiki's eyes lit up. "Would l?!" she said enthusiastically. "Yes, please!" Scrambling out of her chair, she hurried across to the panel of dials and switches and screens. She ran her fingers over the controls. This is an engineer's dream come true! she thought. There's a gyrocompass, a radar, an echo sounder, a speed and log device... "It's that one!" said Dr. Andersen with a laugh, pointing out a large black switch. Kiki flipped the switch. At once she heard the grinding sound of the ramp, lowering itself to the dock. Their mission was over, and it was time to say goodbye.

Kiki reluctantly left the huge navigation panel and followed Connor and the two scientists out of the bridge and down the echoing metal stairs to the deck. Dr. Bridgers was there, too—he had traveled on the ice breaker.

Kiki reached into her pocket. "This is yours, Dr. Bridgers," she said, drawing out the polar bear tooth. "I forgot to give it back to you." "Keep it," Dr. Bridgers said with a smile, "as a thank you for all you have done."

"Thank you," said Kiki and Connor. They shook the three scientists' hands. "I hope you make some cool discoveries on your research trip!" said Connor. "So do I," said Dr. Mikkelsen warmly. "If you hadn't come along... Well, I wouldn't be going on any more research trips. I'd still be stuck down that crevasse!" The Beagle was waiting for them on the deck. It flashed its lights as Kiki and Connor took their places on its padded seat. Kiki started up the engine and drove the Beagle down the ramp and on to the concrete dockside. "Oh!" she gasped. Something cold was sliding down the back of her jacket. "We couldn't leave without ONE little snowball fight!" Connor said with a grin. He brushed snow off his gloves.