"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?"
"Shannon had 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 to Mindanao as soon as possible. When do we leave, Dad?"
"Tomorrow night, son. I made reservations for you while I was in New 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."