Rick Brant 14 The Pirates of Shan Read online

  The Pirates of Shan

  A RICK BRANT

  SCIENCE-ADVENTURE

  STORY, no. 14

  BY JOHN BLAINE

  Rick Brant and his pal, Scotty, are plunged into danger and excitement when they encounter the cutthroat pirates of Shan in the heart of the Pacific tropics.

  During an expedition to locate two missing scientists, Rick, the son of a famous scientist and youngest member of the Spindrift Scientific Foundation, finds that piracy exists in a new and modern form. How he and his friends rescue the lost scientists and help to eradicate organized piracy in the Sulu Sea through the use of modern electronics makes one of the most thrilling adventures in the Rick Brant series.

  John Blaine, author of the Rick Brant science adventures, is a government scientist with wide experience in that far part of the globe in which the story is set. Mr. Blaine has explored the Sulu Sea and its islands, and knows the people and their customs. The result is an intensely dramatic tale of adventure and suspense in one of the world’s least known and most exciting areas.

  CHAPTER I

  The Missing Scientists

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  “We’d better do something,” Rick Brant stated grimly, “and we’d better do it fast.” He picked up a stone and threw it far out into the green waters of theAtlantic , a gesture that did little to relieve his worry and anxiety.

  Don Scott, nicknamed Scotty, said soothingly, “I know how you feel. I feel the same way. But don’t forget that Dad is just as worried as we are-maybe even more so, because he feels responsible. Besides, I don’t think we have long to wait, not with Colonel Rojas here.”

  Rick knew that his dark-haired pal was right, but inaction, even under ordinary circumstances, made him restless, and now that two staff scientists had mysteriously disappeared, his normal desire to keep things moving swiftly was augmented by fear for their safety.

  The Spindrift Scientific Foundation, with headquarters on famedSpindriftIsland off theNew Jersey coast, was regarded by most people as a typical group of scientists, impersonal and efficient, who sometimes made important discoveries or got involved in scientific adventures. But the picture of the Foundation, given mostly through impersonal scientific publications, was wrong.

  The scientific efficiency and purpose of Spindrift could not be denied. But what the public failed to appreciate was that the staff, headed by Rick Brant’s scientist father, was more like a family than a corporation. The center of activity was the big Brant house and the adjoining laboratory onSpindriftIsland

  . The scientists were not only colleagues, but close personal friends.

  As a consequence, when the staff zoologist, Dr. Howard Shannon, and the staff archaeologist, Dr.

  Anthony Briotti, failed to turn up on schedule from an expedition to theSulu Sea , the entire Foundation became personally concerned. All work stopped while the staff speculated on what might have happened, what course of action to take.

  Rick Brant and his pal Scotty were particularly upset when the days passed and Hartson Brant failed to decide on a course of action. Rick knew, of course, that his father was proceeding logically, obtaining information by cable and phone from thePhilippines , but he resented the passing days.

  “I’m glad Rojas is here,” Rick said. “That must mean Dad is making up his mind. And you know what I hope, don’t you?”

  “Same as I do. But don’t hope too much. Maybe Dad will decide this is a job for professionals, and not for us.”

  Hartson Brant had returned only a few minutes ago from a hurried trip toNew York . He had brought with him Colonel Felix Rojas of the Philippines Constabulary. The tall, slender officer was at present on duty with his country’s United Nations delegation. He was an old friend, dating back to the adventure of The Golden Skull when Rick, Scotty, Chahda, and Tony Briotti had gone to the fabulous rice terraces of Ifugao .

  The colonel was having a belated lunch with Dr. and Mrs. Brant, and Rick’s father had indicated politely but firmly that the two boys were not to broach the subject of the missing scientists until the colonel had finished eating. Dr. Brant had promised to call them for the meeting which was to take place immediately after lunch. Both boys were so impatient for the meeting to begin that it seemed to them the others were taking an unduly long time to consume the meal.

  “Rick, Scotty. Come on into the library.”

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  The boys turned swiftly at Hartson Brant’s call and hurried from the waterfront to the big Brant house.

  As they entered, Hobart Zircon was just coming down the stairs from his room. The distinguished nuclear physicist greeted them with a comradely wink. “So you two are attending the meeting too, eh? I have an idea we may be joining forces again.”

  Zircon had shared many adventures with the boys. More than once, his enormous size and legendary strength had gotten them out of a tight spot. The physicist was considerably over six feet tall and built like a fighting bull, and he had a booming voice that fitted his physique.

  Hartson Brant introduced Zircon to Colonel Rojas, waved the group to seats, and got down to business.

  He addressed the Filipino officer. “First, let me say for all of us that we are indebted to you for leaving your office on such short notice to give us the benefit of your advice and counsel.”

  “It is nothing. If I can be of help, I will be grateful. Perhaps if you will start at the beginning, it will clarify things.”

  The scientist nodded assent. “I’ll be glad to. As I told you on the way over, two of our staff members are missing. You know one of them-Dr. Anthony Briotti. The other is Dr. Howard Shannon, our zoologist. Tony, of course, is an archaeologist. They departed for theSulu Sea several weeks ago on a joint expedition to try to find new evidence for a theory of migration of the early peoples in the Pacific.”

  Hobart Zircon added, “We started on this theory some time ago with a trip to an island in the western Pacific. Dr. Briotti continued that work during the rice-terrace expedition. I believe you met him then.”

  “I did,” Colonel Rojas agreed. “How is the present expedition connected with your previous work? The combination of an archaeologist and a zoologist seems unusual.”

  “Tony has determined that the origins of the Bajaus , the Sea Gypsies of Sulu, may be of importance,”

  Hartson Brant explained. “In addition, he wanted to check some details of Bagobo culture. Dr. Shannon hoped to contribute some evidence based on the early migration of some animals from theAsia mainland to the islands.”

  Colonel Rojas nodded. “I understand. The presence of some animals may show that a land bridge existed between Sulu and the mainland across which the early peoples may have migrated.”

  “Exactly.I’m sure you also know that our staff has been co-operating with Dr. Remedios Okola of the University of thePhilippines . It was from him we learned that our friends had vanished, when they failed to keep an important appointment.”

  “You know their itinerary?”

  “Yes. They flew toManila and spent a few days with Dr. Okola. At that time he persuaded them to revise their schedule, to return toManila long enough to join him on a trip to the rice terraces. They flew to Zamboanga, chartered a boat of some sort, and sailed toDavao by way of Cotabato . They were supposed to leave the boat atDavao and fly back toManila to take the trip with Okola, after which they would return toDavao , pick up the boat, and go into theSulu Sea .” The scientist’s lips tightened, then he added, “They never kept the appointment with Okola!”

  “What did Okola do about it?”

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  “He got in touch with the constabulary and asked for a check on their whereabouts, thinking they might have been del
ayed. The constabulary atDavao reported that Shannon and Briotti had reachedDavao and hired a truck to take them to a Bagobo village. The truck driver let them off at a foot trail to the village.

  No one has seen them since.”

  Rojas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You have heard from the American consulate atManila ?”

  “Yes, by phone, on the same day I talked with Okola. The consulate has asked your government for help. However, yesterday I received a cable stating that a second investigation has uncovered nothing new. It appears that both our governments have done all they can, but obviously we cannot stop there.

  So I have decided to send Dr. Zircon, with Rick and Scotty, to hunt for our friends.”

  Rick and Scotty exchanged relieved glances. It was what they had hoped and expected.

  The colonel nodded. “I have not had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Zircon until now, but I have seen Rick and Scotty in action. They are resourceful, and they are lucky-two necessary qualities fora expedition such as this. Do you also plan to use their Hindu friend, Chahda?”

  Rick leaned forward anxiously. He had suggested getting Chahda to help out several days ago, but his father was at that time waiting for further word from the American consulate. Chahda, a one-timeBombay beggar boy, had been a close friend since theTibet relay expedition. He was a real wizard at uncovering information.

  “Yes,” Hartson Brant replied. “I have sent him a cable, through his organization, but he has not yet replied.”

  Chahda was now a combination assistant and secretary to the chiefFar East agent for JANIG, the secret government agency charged with the protection ofUnited States top secrets. The Hindu boy’s boss, Carl Bradley, was an old friend of Hartson Brant. Rick knew that Bradley would release Chahda at once, if assistance to Spindrift was involved, not only because of his friendship for the Brants, but because the island scientists had once helped to solve a case for theFar East agent. Chahda would be especially helpful in the search for the missing scientists, because he knew his way around thePhilippines and had friends there. It occurred to Rick that his father had probably wired Chahda, in care of Bradley, via the Spindrift contact in JANIG- Special Agent Steve Ames.

  Colonel Rojas lighted aManila cigar and settled back in his chair. “First of all, let us examine the area in which your friends have disappeared.Davao is on theislandofMindanao , the largest in thePhilippines . It is peaceful, for the most part, even though we have a mixture of Moros, Christians, and pagans there.”

  Rick knew about the Moros, Filipinos of the Moslem faith. They were known as valiant and deadly fighting men. The pagans were primitive people, like the Bagobos.

  “Davaois a large, fairly modern city. But once outside of the city itself, the country becomes wild. Some of the Bagobo villages are quite close toDavao . They are peaceful folk, and quite harmless, but there are savages in the back country who may not be.”

  “Perhaps we should take arms,” Zircon said.

  “I would say so.At least a rifle and a sidearm of some kind.”

  Scotty spoke up. “I can take my rifle.”

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  “And I can borrow Hartson’s forty-five automatic,” Zircon added. “That should be enough.”

  “True,” the colonel agreed. “You can always call on the constabulary for help. I will give you letters to all commanding officers in the area.”

  Rick knew that would open many doors, because Rojas was not only a former commandant of the constabulary, but popular with the entire force.

  “How about clothing, Colonel?”Rick asked.

  “I assume you will go by air. That means very little baggage. One tropical suit and the rest rough clothing would be my suggestion.”

  Scotty changed the subject. “Sir, have you any idea what might have happened to our friends?”

  The officer shrugged. “No more than you have. Scientists generally are not rich enough to rob, but they are not so poor that they can be harmed with impunity. Robbery is always possible, although unlikely, with one exception. Did they have any weapons with them?”

  “Shannonhad a hunting bow and arrows,” Mr. Brant replied. “He planned to collect some specimens.

  Briotti had no weapon at all.”

  “Then that eliminates the only robbery possibility I can think of. Had they been well armed, Moros might have attacked to get their weapons. The Moro loves weapons of all kinds, and may even kill to get them-a point you might remember.”

  Rick shook his head. “It’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to harm them-if anyone did. I think we’d better get toMindanao as soon as possible. When do we leave, Dad?”

  “Tomorrow night, son.I made reservations for you while I was inNew York this morning.”

  “Are we going to take special equipment?” Scotty asked.

  Rick had been thinking about that very point. “I’m planning to take the Megabuck network. It will be useful if we have to separate.”

  The little network of three miniature radio units, transmitters, and receivers combined, had been of invaluable help in rounding up a group of foreign agents bent on stealing the plans for a United States intercontinental ballistic missile.

  The unusual name, Megabuck, had grown out of a joke Rick had conceived about a “million bucks”

  television quiz program. Two of the sets were pocket size, and used hearing-aid-type earphones. The third had been made in the form of an ornamental hair band for Rick’s sister Barby to wear. The tiny microphone worked by sound induction through the bones of the head. The earphone was incorporated into one end of the band.

  Zircon and Scotty agreed that the radio units might come in handy, and the physicist added, “I have a pocket-size, battery-operated wire recorder I use for making notes. I think I’ll take that. It may be helpful for recording conversations for later translation.”

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  “A good idea,” the colonel approved. “The local dialect is called Chebucano. Of course many people speak some English. Have you an atlas? I think it might be useful if we went over a map ofMindanao and theSulu Sea area.”

  The map study was very helpful. The three absorbed Colonel Rojas’ fund of information about the area.

  It was a part of the world none of them had ever seen, located only a few degrees above the Equator in the deep tropics. To the west ofMindanao was theSulu Sea , with theCelebes Sea to the south. The widely scattered centers of civilization had famous, imagination-stirring names, like Jolo, Tawi Tawi , Cotabato , and Zamboanga.

  Later, the Filipino officer dictated letters of introduction to Rick’s sister Barby, a pretty blond girl a year younger than her brother. Barby took the dictation directly on the typewriter. Once the letters were signed and turned over to Dr. Zircon, Hart-son Brant escorted the colonel to the mainland, where arrangements had been made for a local taxi service to drive him back toNew York . Rojas’ parting statement was “This affair worries me. I shall be most interested in developments, and you may hear from me sooner than you think.”

  Later, Scotty and Rick gathered in the latter’s room and talked while loading the radio units with fresh batteries.

  “Wonder how long it will take to hear from Chahda?” Rick asked.

  “Depends on where he is and how fast Steve Ames can get a message to him. He’ll join us if he can.

  You can bet on it.”

  “I hope so,” Rick said thoughtfully. “We’ll be inManila in a couple of days, and we’ll need him. We’ve got a job ahead of us, because Tony and Shannon aren’t lost. You can be sure of that. They’re not the kind to get lost. And if they had been in an accident of some kind we’d have heard.”

  “Meaning what?”

  Rick’s eyes met Scotty’s. “That leaves only one logical answer, doesn’t it? They’ve either been killed or captured!”

  CHAPTER II

  The Hindu Merchant

  Thirty-six hours later, after a grueling transcon-tinental-trans-Pacific flight with only the briefest of stops to change
planes, Rick, Scotty, and Zircon were inManila . Their stay in Manila only three hours old, they had already visited the American consulate and found that no new information on the missing scientists had been received; they had arranged a luncheon date with Dr. Okola, and had reserved space on Philippine Airlines to Davao on the following morning.

  Rick paced the floor, sipping a glass of fresh limeade, made with calamansi , the tiny, pungent local limes. His time for the past three days had been spent alternately dozing and thinking about the problem Page 6

  of the missing scientists. The more he wondered about their strange disappearance, the more worried he became.

  “There’s simply no reason for it,” he said aloud.

  Scotty looked up from the chair in which he was reading the Mania Times. The husky ex-Marine didn’t have to be told what his pal was thinking. “No reason we can see,” he agreed. “But there has to be a reason.”

  Hobart Zircon spoke from the desk where he was writing a note to Hartson Brant. “You might remember,Rick, that we’ve been on other expeditions where the reason for certain events was just as puzzling.”

  Rick knew the kind of events the physicist meant. Only a few dozen yards from this very room, in the ancient walled city across the street, he and Scotty had been under rifle fire for a reason they couldn’t have guessed at the time.

  “Listen to this,” Scotty said suddenly. He read from the newspaper.“ ‘The American consulate reported today that three members of the Spindrift Foundation staff have arrived inManila to begin a search for the American scientists reported missing a short time ago. The scientists disappeared north ofDavao .’ End of item.”

  “That’s short and to the point,” Rick commented a little bitterly. “They certainly don’t make much fuss over two missing Americans, do they?”

  “And it’s on page seventeen,” Scotty added. He folded the paper back to the front page. “Look at this headline.”

  Across the top of the front page was emblazoned: WHERE IS ELPIDIO TORRES?

  “Who’s he?” Rick asked.