Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven #5)(53)

"And we can abort the mission at any point," Grandma Sorenson said.


"With nothing to stop us from trying again later," Warren added. "Although we need to get it right the first time in order to take advantage of the element of surprise. How large of a strike force should we gather?"


Grandma Larsen shrugged. "That is open to debate. The Translocator carries only three people at a time. A small team can move in and out more easily, but a larger team could split up and might have a better chance of fighting their way through obstacles."


"The dwarf will obviously have to bring in the first pair," Grandpa said. "Then we can shuttle in whoever we want."


"We mustn't let the Sphinx get the Translocator," Kendra reminded them.


"Somebody reliable should have the Translocator at all times," Warren agreed. "If things go wrong, their top priority must be to teleport away."


"We don't necessarily have to leave the Translocator with the strike force," Grandma Sorenson considered. "Of course, without the Translocator on hand, escape from Living Mirage will be much more complex, even if we coordinate with satellite phones and establish rendezvous points."


"Whoever goes into the dungeon needs the Translocator," Grandpa said. "They'll be lucky to make it to the prisoners, let alone get back out. Warren is right--if all else fails, they can abort and jump away."


"This is risky," Grandma Sorenson said.


"Any option we have left is risky," Grandpa said. "This scenario is much more promising than any option I had hoped to encounter. If it pays off, we could rescue Seth, Maria, and Scott, and retrieve the other artifacts."


"And if it fails," Grandma Larsen cautioned, "we could lose the Translocator, and soon thereafter the Chronometer."


Kendra's insides fluttered nervously. "She's right. The Sphinx has been to Fablehaven. So has Mr. Lich. If they had the Translocator, they could come straight here, and that would be the end of everything."


Grandpa pinched his lip absently, eyes far away. "Gloria, you've had much more time than us to think this through. What would you recommend?"


"A team of six," Grandma Larsen said. "Two fighters and I rendezvous with Hank. The dwarf leads two other fighters to the dungeon. The dungeon strike force should keep the Translocator and leap home with the prisoners. Tollin has had some prior access to the vicinity of the dungeon, so those who go there with him will be able to teleport somewhat on the way to their objective. After the captives are secure, a designee will return to a prearranged rendezvous to claim us and the other artifacts."


"How will Hank know when to move?" Warren asked.


"He'll check from his window at two in the morning every night until I send him the signal. Which means we'd want to launch the assault around 6:30 P.M. our time to account for the seven-hour time difference."


"I would propose an extra participant," Warren said. "The dwarf should drop off an extra man first, a good distance from the others. He can serve as a fail-safe, to clean up the mess if the mission goes awry. A human insurance policy. For now, let's call him ... Warren."


"Are there fairies at Living Mirage?" Kendra asked.


"I'm sure," Grandma Larsen said. "We can ask Tollin for details."


"Fairies have to follow my orders," Kendra explained. "I should come."


Grandpa reddened. "Absolutely not. The idea is not to jeopardize the entire family."


"I've had a little success in the past," Kendra reminded him. "The idea is to make this work, right?"


Grandma Sorenson nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe she could enter with us at first, issue commands to some fairies, then leap directly home."


"Do you have other participants in mind?" Grandma Larsen asked.


Grandpa cleared his throat. "I'd lead the assault force to the dungeon. Trask can accompany me with the dwarf. Elise and Tanu can join you to help Hank."



"And I sit at home knitting and fretting?" Grandma Sorenson said.


"Why don't you escort Kendra?" Grandpa proposed. "Help her find some fairies, set some assistance in motion, then teleport back to Fablehaven before I head for the dungeon. We'll leave Coulter back home as interim caretaker, and let Dale keep running the logistics, but I'd feel much better knowing more than one of us remained at home."


"That sounds reasonable," Grandma Sorenson admitted reluctantly.


"Where will the dwarf insert us?" Grandpa asked. "Near the nest of a roc," Grandma Larsen said. "A roc?" Warren exclaimed. "A rock?" Kendra asked.


"An enormous bird that preys on elephants and aurochs," Grandma Larsen clarified. "The inhabitants of Living Mirage generally stay away from the nesting area, but the nest lies within fifteen minutes on foot from the Great Ziggurat. During maintenance errands, Tollin has ventured right up to the nest itself. He will teleport us to a sheltered location with enough proximity to the roc to provide us with privacy."


"Sounds sensible," Grandpa said. "I expect you want this to happen this evening?"