Brass Eagle stopped. He had descended the valley’s side, stopping to rest every mile or so. The hillside was steep, and the wind was picking up. He sighed. How was he supposed to know where Grasshopper was on this dang island? It was miles and miles of rainforest, then a few more miles of valley, then stopping abruptly at a sleek, modern-looking building that was the Caretaker’s tower.

He glanced up at the tower. It was huge, a hulking monolith that towered above the tallest tree of the forest. What could the Caretaker possibly need that much space for? Sure, he had seen the weird room with the capsules, but everything else? No idea.

Blinding pain shot across his eyes, his brain, it burrowed itself into his mind in a flash. Brass Eagle cried out and dove to the ground. He had no idea what had hit him. Somehow, a screeching sound found its way through the ringing in his ears, faint against the plethora of pain.

He found the strength to crack an eyelid open. He gasped.