43 Crossing Inky Lake

43 Crossing Inky Lake Despite Little-Bit's protests (But it's the best drawing I've ever done!'), Peanut and Rockwell set about erasing all traces of their camp before Jonathan Higginbottom led the group through the trees to the banks of Inky Lake. Up close, it was a sight to behold. The perfectly flat surface extended as far as the eye could see and reflected the twinkling stars and bright full moon like a vast black mirror.

'This is as good an entry point as any,' said the alligator. 'Up you get, then. Doodle and the three children climbed on to his giant reptilian back and sat facing forwards with their feet dangling in the cool, jet-black water. When they were all in position, Jonathan Higginbottom eased away from the bank and swam smoothly out into the vast body of the lake. 'Do you know who will be meeting us at the Strip?' asked Peanut. 'I don't, I'm afraid,' replied Jonathan Higginbottom. 'We are never told the identities of our fellow agents in case

we're ever captured. If you don't know names, you can't give people up. Mr White is not averse to using every means of, er, persuasion available to him, you see. 'So, if you don't know who it is, how will we know who it is?' 'Don't worry, it will become clear. Just like when we met. ' So, what is the Strip anyway?' Little-Bit was dragging her hand through the water and marvelling at how black it left her fingers. 'It sounds like it'll be fun. ' Well, that depends on your definition of fun. If you enjoy ear-splitting noise, horrendously busy streets and panic- inducing chaos, then you'll love it. 'Ooooh,' replied the little girl. 'That does sound fun!' 'Surely it would have been better to brave the Black Mountains and head straight for the Spire,' said Rockwell. 'Won't this huge detour expose us to more danger?' 'Have you ever heard of the phrase "hiding in plain sight"?' replied the alligator. 'Trust me, you will be much harder to spot among the crowds of the Strip than you would be sneaking through the Black Mountains. I can't pretend that I'm party to tactics, but in this instance, I definitely would have made the same decision. In fact, if I've learned one thing during my time with Mr and Mrs M, it's that you should always trust their judgement. Jonathan Higginbottom?' It was Peanut's turn to ask a question. 'When we were flying over the valley and those two

flying-fish things started to chase us, they suddenly blew up for no reason at all. Do you know what happened?' The alligator smiled. 'I was going to talk to you about that when we got to the other side of the lake, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. My very clever colleagues in the Resistance have developed a small device that scrambles the circuits of the Exocetia—the flying fish, as you call them. Basically, you press a button and the device emits sound waves, undetectable by the human ear, that cause the Exocetia to vibrate intensely, instantly overheat and, ultimately, explode. As long as you are within one hundred metres of them and, ideally, have a clear sightline, it should work. 'Wow!' gasped Rockwell. 'So Gavreau was right?' He noticed Peanut's confused expression. 'Oh come on, you must have heard of Vladimir Gavreau! The Franco-Russian scientist who experimented with weapomsing infrasonic waves in the sixties? He was largely discredited by most 'BORING!' shouted Little-Bit. Peanut looked at Rockwell and nodded. She turned to Jonathan Higginbottom. 'So, it was you that blew them up?' 'It was. I was watching you from the forest floor and saw

the Exocetia start to follow you. I had to wait for longer than I was totally comfortable with in order to get a good shot, but hopefully I was able to act before they managed to send further intelligence to Mr White and the RAZERs.' 'Thank you,' said Rockwell. 'Thank you so much. All part of the service. Actually, I took the liberty of putting the device in the outside pocket of your rucksack, young man. It might well come in handy at some point. After all, we're depending on you. Rockwell blushed. 'Still want me to draw you that door?' asked Peanut. ' Hmmm. Maybe I'll stay for a bit longer after all. ' Good show, old boy!' chirped Jonathan Higginbottom. 'Now, if I were you, I'd try and get a spot of sleep on my back there. It'll be a few hours before we reach the other side of the lake and you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow.