Kingdom Keepers VI(61)
Freeman was the wizard of Disney Dream’s security office. When Uncle Bob had given the Imagineers a wish list of security upgrades for the new class of ship, all the technical ideas had come from Clayton. These included the use of radio frequency tags for passenger identification, stateroom entry, the Oceaneer Club, tracking laundry inventory, and the inventory of security-sensitive equipment, including closed-circuit video surveillance—CCTV. The ship possessed four highly-encrypted private WiFi systems. Night-vision imaging on certain decks.
In the end, Clayton Freeman wanted a safer ship, but not a ship that invaded anyone’s privacy—all of which required a great deal of forethought, compromise, and planning. With the upgraded wireless networks came the ability to transmit security video to the handheld devices, a functionality he finally got the chance to test now, as he dropped back from the subject yet remained able to follow.
When the suspect entered the forward tunnel, which enclosed the jogging track, Foreman hurried. He’d lost the boy here once before.
No sign of the two. Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Zero.
Vanished. Same as last time.
Freeman could envision three explanations: 1) He’d used the CREW MEMBERS ONLY door immediately to Freeman’s right; 2) Their hideaway was right here under Freeman’s nose; 3) He was a hologram and had walked through the wall.
This last possibility came under the heading Top Secret. He and Uncle Bob had, for several days now, realized something extraordinary was happening on their ship. One thing seemed clear: if he went to Uncle Bob with only theories he’d be laughed at. The older man was starting to question, but he wasn’t sure. Clayton Freeman would need proof. Hard evidence.
Freeman opened the CREW MEMBERS ONLY door. Nothing.
He pulled it shut and paced the jogging deck.
He was in the exact location at which the cameras had lost the double Mickey the first time. All he saw was a line of stains where some passenger had spilled soda.
There was a hiding place here.
Something he was missing.
* * *
There was barely time to celebrate Maybeck’s coming out of the coma. Standing in a crowded area by the gangway on Deck 1, Charlene attempted to hide her relief at having him back.
Finn and the others felt a sense of hope. They had not exactly defeated the Overtakers, but they had caused them to fail, and that was almost the same thing.
Just before noon, a security officer quieted the thirty people gathered.
“Passage ceremony personnel are now cleared for disembarkation. Please have your identity cards out to expedite the process.”
Led by Captain Cederberg, who was followed in succession by officers of rank, a parade of VIPs crossed the temporary gangway. The Kingdom Keepers brought up the rear behind Captains Mickey and Minnie.
Maybeck was in decent shape. They’d teased him about being well-rested.
But once on Panamanian soil, Philby and Finn stood on either side of Maybeck, ready to help prop him up if he needed it.
The Keepers understood the honor of being part of the inaugural festivities, of being in the presence of the cruise line executives. The event had been carefully scripted, so it surprised everyone—most of all the Keepers—when the biggest cheer, bigger even than for Mickey, arose as they crossed the plank.
Mickey came back and patted each Keeper on the head, winning ever louder applause from the crowd.
The president of Panama spoke briefly, followed by Captain Cederberg. There seemed to be more journalists and photographers than Panamanians. Cameras flashed. Photographers signaled the ship’s representatives to look one way, then the other.
Jodi directed Captain Cederberg with hand signals. Andy and his crew were among those filming.
“Excuse me…you can’t…”
A security man on the ship side of the gangway was trying to stop a robed woman from disembarking. Laughing horribly, Maleficent walked through the man’s outstretched arms.
“Red—”
“Alert,” said Philby, finishing off Finn’s thought.
“Hologram,” said Willa.
Seeing the dark fairy, the crowd cheered all the more loudly—everyone but the ship contingent. Jodi and the other company executives and ship’s officers stepped out of Maleficent’s way.
All but Captain Cederberg, who, judging by his expression, had had enough of Maleficent and her intrusions.
“I’ll ask you to leave,” Captain Cederberg said.
“Here, catch,” Maleficent said.
Finn saw it in slow motion but reacted in real time. A ball of fire formed in Maleficent’s hand; it left her grasp; Captain Cederberg’s natural reaction was to put his hands together in order to catch something thrown to him.
Finn covered his face and took the ball of fire in his chest, immediately diving to the patch of green grass—sod, laid just for this event. He did so two feet in front of the captain, sparing the man a third-degree burn.