K-Bridge: The Rescue (Paperback)

Introduction and Synopsis by: Lucien van Oosten The second installment of the K-bridge flock continues where the first book, K-Bridge - A Story about Discovery leaves off. As many readers have stated, the ending of the first book makes you want to know what happens to the characters. Is Mosaic able to rescue his parents and fellow flock mates? As the second book unfolds, Moth, Mosaic's sister, finds him and tells him that his parents and flock mates are alive, are held captive in a pet and feed store. Mosaic, who has been grappling with how to tell April and Eric that he must leave, now has the ideal and logical excuse why he must leave. In The Rescue, the saga of discovery continues for Mosaic, Trapper and the birds of K-Bridge. The day that started out with great expectations quickly turn into a struggle to fly as the weather turns again the rescuers, and they have to seek refuge at a grain silo. They easily avoid the weather while spending the night in safety. The following morning, Moth, unbeknownst to her, eats tainted seeds and become very ill, nearly dying. If not for the valiant efforts of her own skills, her companions and the valiant efforts of Ibu, Moth is rescued from certain death. Reluctantly Mosaic and Trapper must leave an aligning, recovering Moth, in the capable care of Ibu. They follow Moths directions to the feed store with little inconvenience. They find the feed store and discover that things have changed since Moth's successful escape. As fore told by Vlinder (Dutch for butterfly), their first attempt at a Rescue fails. This of course creates a very edgy and uneasy relationship between her and Mosaic. Before they can come up with a second plan, all the birds are bought by Luo's relatives (one of Crafco's allies) and are taken to the game ranch for them to participate in the big event scheduled there; The Passenger Pigeon Derby. In The Rescue, we learn more about the rapscallion of the story, Crafco, his horrible immoral plans for power, and the evil he is willing to unleash upon his own kind to get what his heart desires. In this second installment of the story about the K-Bridge flock, we learn what made Crafco who he is, and about the alliances, he has forged with creatures not of his own kind. We meet, Joel a crow, whom Crafco saves from an entanglement that would have ended Joel's life, creating a formidable ally and confidant. Joel is one of the first birds outside of Crafco's own species that Crafco truly confides in and through circumstances out of both of their control, Joel helps Crafco get rid of one of his main tormentors. As we learn more about Crafco's plans to become ultimate leader of all the Railyard flocks. We also learn of the many twists, turns and unlikely allies that fate presents to Crafco that will gain him his ultimate dream. As Crafco schemes, lays out and works his plans, Mosaic and Trapper discover the truth about the ranch where Mosaic's flock mates and parents have been transported. During their investigation of the ranch and with the reconnaissance they perform, they learn the nature of the ranches existence: it is a game ranch, one specializing in the hunting of birds for sport. As is so often the case, during their final attempt at the rescue, they succeed in freeing Koffee, Niner and Rambler. The bad thing is that Mosaic is trapped, caught and takes their places. Mosaic, based on Trapper's and his own reconnaissance, does a have a plan, that if followed will give the birds to be released onto the killing fields a very slim chance for survival. As has been foretold by the sparrows, many do not make it through the shooting galleries. The flock and Mosaic are devastated by this turn of events. We leave Mosaic wondering why he did not succeed in the rescue attempts. As the last paragraphs of The Rescue concludes this part of the K-Bridge saga, we find Mosaic pondering where and what is happening with The Quest group of birds.