Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the Hardy Detective Agency - Presenting "South American Search & Rescue" by CQB

Frank Hardy watched as the inside of the cabin grew rosy pink from the sunset. He tried to move into a more comfortable position, but the plane was small and left much to be desired in the way of ‘leg room’. He glanced over at his younger brother in the seat across the aisle from him. In the soft, glowing light, Joe looked much younger than his 17 years.

Frank sighed. He had an overwhelming urge to run and put his arms around Joe to protect him from whatever they were about to encounter in South America. He too, had seen the pained look on Conner Bailey’s face at the airport. He closed his brown eyes. Frank knew he couldn’t protect Joe. Instead, he prayed that they all would have the strength to get through whatever they were about to face.

* * *

The first thing that Fenton Hardy realized when he opened his eyes was that the plane was on the ground and it wasn’t burning. Jack had somehow managed to land on an abandoned runway. It was overgrown with weeds and too short for the speed at which they landed, none-the-less, they were basically in one piece. Trees surrounded them as they had continued into the jungle after running short of runway tarmac. The wings were ripped off and the windshield was shattered, but otherwise, the plane was intact.

The second thing Fenton Hardy realized, was that they were not alone. Voices shouting in a Spanish sounding dialect could be heard outside the wreckage. Fenton slowly released his safety harness and slid out of the co-pilot seat onto the floor. He took inventory of his injuries. His right wrist looked as if it might be sprained and he had a deep laceration on the right side of his forehead, near the hairline. Otherwise, though battered and bruised, he was in decent shape.

Fenton made his way to Jack Wayne, who sat unmoving in the pilot’s seat. Before he could even check Jack’s vitals, the door of the plane was forced open and three young men in military gear climbed into the aircraft, weapons trained on Fenton and Jack.

* * *

As Joe Hardy bounced along in the rear of the old army jeep through the tropical greenery, he was awed by the beauty and mystery that the jungle held. ‘Now I know how Dorothy felt when she landed in Oz,’ the blond youth thought, ‘I don’t think we’re in Bayport anymore!’

The Bolivian scenery, too, captivated Frank Hardy, as he clutched the jeep’s roll bar for dear life. He couldn’t help but wish they were here under different circumstances, and then he could truly enjoy the spectacular scenery that surrounded them.

They had landed on a dirt runway in the small village of Di Heer, in the northern most corner of Bolivia. Rather that stay in the village, Conner Bailey bartered for the old, battered jeep and, after piling all their gear in the back, they headed down a gutted, muddy road toward the "Arms of Mercy" mission complex. Frank and Joe had climbed in and sat precariously on top of the gear, while Conner and Sam Radley occupied the two seats.

Conner drove the jeep expertly over the uneven terrain of the Bolivian trail. The friend of Jack Wayne and the Hardys had made this trip often. The French sisters of the "Arms of Mercy" had an orphanage, hospital and school within the stucco walls of their mission complex. Doctors Tomas’ and Monique Du Pree successfully operated the mission, under the spiritual leadership of Father Philippe La’ Mour. Conner was a long-time friend of the Du Prees and often brought them medical supplies.

As the jeep pulled into the courtyard of the mission compound, a swarm of 22 children, ranging in age from toddlers to about 14 years old, surrounded them.

Conner jumped from the jeep and began passing out hugs, greeting the children in their native tongue as well as in French. Conner asked Joe and Frank to join him as he rummaged through a duffle bag, pulling out chocolate bars.

Joe and Frank smiled as they watched Conner and the children. They climbed out of the jeep and joined Conner in passing out the candy. For some strange reason, Joe suddenly felt overcome with emotion and had to fight to keep from crying. Conner sensed Joe’s reaction and put an arm around the boy.

"It’s okay, Joe," Conner whispered in the youth’s ear, "This always chokes me up and I’ve done it a hundred times!" Joe smiled and Conner gave him a reassuring wink.

"Monsieur Conner, bonjour!" Dr. Monique Du Pree greeted, "Comment allez-vous, un ami (How are you, my friend?)?"

"Bien, Dr. Du Pree," Conner replied, "I am very well, merci." Monique Du Pree was 64 years old and had worked at the mission in Bolivia for the past twelve years. "These are the friends I called you about."

"Comment vous portez-vous (How do you do?)?" the doctor asked. Joe raised his eyebrows and gazed at Conner. Even though he had taken French in school, hearing it spoken with the proper accent made it sound totally different from the classroom. Sam and Frank both smiled, also unsure of how to respond. They could both speak Spanish, but didn’t know French at all. Conner chuckled and translated for his friends.

"Bien, merci," Joe responded, "at least, as well as we can be under the circumstances."

"Oui, I wish our meeting could be under better circumstances as well," the doctor stated, smiling at the blond boy and his companions. "We have been praying for your le pe`re (father) and Monsieur Wayne."

"Dr. Du Pree," Frank inquired, "Did you see the plane go down?"

"Non, un ami (No, my friend)," Monique replied, "Sister Angeline and Sister Beatrix saw the plane go down in the storm. Come now. We’ll get you settled, and then you may speak with the sisters."

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.