Kingdom Keepers(72)
“What’s this building?” Maybeck asked. Dressed as Ali Baba, or whoever he was, Finn thought he looked pretty cool.
Wayne answered. “This is important to you, Finn. Have you ever seen a garbage bag being carried around inside the park?” Wayne asked.
All five shook their heads.
“This building is why. All the park’s trash travels underground through a series of steel tubes. Those tubes terminate here, where the trash is compacted, and then shipped off to a dump. The process is automated. I’ve briefed Amanda.”
She remained in the back, silent and studious. Briefed Amanda about the trash? Finn wondered. He kept his mouth shut.
“Once I get you inside,” Wayne instructed, “you’re on your own. The Utilidor here—that’s what the park tunnels are called—is complicated and big. The corridors are more like underground roads than sidewalks. There are golf carts and electric buggies down there, so keep alert and don’t get hit. Cast members know the Utilidor well, and you’re cast members now. You’ll need to look comfortable.”
“What about Maleficent?” Finn asked. “The plans?”
“Terrence,” Wayne said to Maybeck, “what’s likely the coldest room in an office building?”
“The computer room,” Maybeck answered. “The server center.”
“So where’s the safest, most comfortable place for someone who likes the cold to spend time?”
“A refrigerator?” Charlene answered, not paying enough attention.
“One possibility, yes, and one that you and Willa will pursue. There’s an entire section of the Utilidor devoted to cold food storage.”
“The computer center,” Maybeck said, answering Wayne’s question.
“The servers are housed at the back of what we call the Control Room. That’s for you and the boys.” Wayne warned them, “Stay alert for a sudden drop in temperature. That’s what you’re looking for. The missing plans won’t be far away. We need those plans.” Wayne looked troubled and concerned. “The point is, from what Finn described, he wounded Maleficent. Weakened her. He also made it impossible for her to remain below Pirates of the Caribbean. I believe she’s taken to the Utilidor, where, looking like a cast member, no one would question or detain her. Your job is to get those plans from her and to flush her out. To draw her out. We will handle the rest.”
“We?” Philby asked.
“You leave that to me, young man.” He looked between all six kids, for now Amanda was standing just behind Finn. “Are you ready?”
A moment of hesitation settled over the kids. Then, one by one, they nodded. Even Charlene.
Wayne’s face brightened again. “Once you’ve got the plans and you’re topside,” he said, “that’s when the chase begins. I’m afraid you may literally need to run for your lives. Maleficent is not likely to be a good loser. Finn takes the plans. Amanda will guide him back here.” Again, Wayne took a moment to make eye contact with each of the kids. He ended with Finn. “You’ll do exactly as she says.”
Finn glanced back at Amanda.
He didn’t feel good about this. She revealed nothing of what she might be thinking.
Finn felt there was an unusually strong bond between Wayne and Amanda. Were they related somehow? Without question, Finn thought, Amanda was no ordinary girl.
Wayne threw the bus door open, and the kids hurried out.
32
Inside the Magic Kingdom, the sun shone brightly. Finn’s costume warmed up. He thought the air smelled like Thanksgiving. It took him a minute to spot the turkey leg being gnawed on by a big man wearing a Hard Rock Cafe shirt.
The six kids and Wayne passed into the park through a high wooden fence, with Thunder Mountain to their right. Past the ride and through another door marked for cast members, they entered a room with dull green walls. They saw an elevator door, scratched and in need of paint, with a single arrow pointing down. A large sign bolted to the cinderblock wall above the adjacent set of descending stairs cautioned: CAST MEMBERS ONLY PLEASE.
“I’ll go first,” Wayne announced. “Girls, you’ll follow me to food service. Terrence, you know what you’re looking for. Good luck, everyone.”
Finn felt his throat catch. There was only one reason Wayne could be doing this so soon on the heels of the previous night.
It isn’t safe.
They had to accomplish this before Maleficent regained all her powers. Though Finn wondered what would become of them if she already had.
Wayne’s white head bobbed down the stairs, followed closely by Charlene and then Willa. The boys heard a heavy door open and close. Then silence. Finn’s throat was bone-dry. His palms were sweating.