A Perfect Time for Pandas: A Merlin Mission

can’t forget about our mission.”
    “I don’t think it’s much farther. Come on, we’ll hurry,” said Annie. She climbed back onto her bike.
    “I’ll go first,” said Jack. “Let’s stay together and keep as close as we can to the side of the road. I’m serious, Annie.” He gripped his handlebars and started pedaling again.
    Leading the way, Jack hugged the side of the road. He glanced back a couple of times to make sure Annie was doing the same. As they struggled uphill, huffing and puffing, a light rain started to fall. Mist gradually descended over the valley and the highway as they biked higher and higher up the mountain.
    More vehicles roared by, but Jack tried to ignore them. He couldn’t believe they were bikingup a mountain on a Chinese highway in foggy weather!
    Finally Jack and Annie came to a sign that said:
    CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE GIANT PANDA
    “Yay! We’re here!” said Annie.
    The rain had stopped. Jack was wet, exhausted, and out of breath. “I hope you’re—you’re happy,” he said.
    Annie gave Jack a big smile. “I am,” she said. “Totally.”
    The panda center was nestled between two tall mountains. It was on the far side of a narrow river. A small bridge crossed the river to the entrance gate. Near the gate a group of grown-ups was waiting to go inside.
    Jack and Annie rode to the parking lot and parked their bikes next to a small blue bus. They took off their helmets and hung them from their handlebars.
    “Oh, no!” cried Annie. She pointed to the panda center sign. At the bottom it said:
    NO ONE UNDER 18 ADMITTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
    “I don’t believe it,” said Jack. “We came all this way for nothing?” He had to admit he was secretly relieved. Now they could get back to their mission.
    “I can’t accept this,” said Annie. “We
have
to get in there.”
    “Your attention, please, everyone!” a woman in a uniform called to the group waiting outside the gate.
    “Let’s go listen,” said Annie. She ran across the bridge.
    “Annie!” Jack called. He sighed, and then hurried after her. They stood at the back of the little crowd.
    “My name is Dr. Ling,” the young Chinese woman said to the group. “Welcome to the largest giant panda reserve in the world. This is a place for scientists and animal protectors.”
    “That’s me,” Annie said, “animal protector.”
    Several people looked at Annie, as if they were wondering who she was.
    Oh, brother
, thought Jack.
    “Good,” Dr. Ling said to Annie. “Pandas are one of the most endangered species in the world. For at least three million years, they have lived in China’s dense bamboo forests. Now those same forests are being cut down to make room for farms and roads.”
    “How many pandas are left?” asked Annie.
    “Throughout the world, only about sixteen hundred in the wild,” said Dr. Ling. “Today the species is threatened with extinction.”
    “That’s terrible!” Annie said.
    “Shhh,” said Jack.
    But Annie didn’t
shhh
. “Can we save them, Dr. Ling?” she asked.
    “We hope so. We’re working hard to do just that at the panda center,” said Dr. Ling. “We are responsible for about two hundred pandas here.Many were rescued after an injury or illness. And many more were born here. Last year we had sixteen new babies.”
    “Wow!” said Annie.
    “While the panda center is not a place for tourists,” said Dr. Ling, “we
do
allow volunteers to come in and help us. So without further ado, let’s all get suited up!”
    Annie started walking with the crowd. “Annie, come back,” Jack whispered loudly.
    But Annie just signaled to Jack to follow her. Then she stepped boldly into the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.



CHAPTER FOUR
Get Suited Up!
    “I don’t believe her!” Jack grumbled to himself. He had no choice but to follow Annie into the panda center. When he walked through the gate, he saw a group of low buildings with tree-covered mountains looming behind them.
    As Dr. Ling led the group along a stone path, Jack saw Annie talking to an elegant older woman with snow-white hair. He quickly caught up with them. He pulled on Annie’s sleeve, but she kept talking to the woman. “I’ve
always
loved them,” Annie said. “You too?”
    “My goodness, yes,” the woman said. “I’ve come all by myself from New York City to see them.”
    “That’s great,” said Annie. “We’ve come all the way from Pennsylvania!