[It seems to Ryan like he travels forever. The first flight takes seventeen hours. The second flight isn't exactly a short jump either. And unlike the first flight, it isn't a mixed group of all nationalities. This flight is almost all Chinese people, many of whom give Ryan funny looks, and none of whom speaks a word of English] [Eventually they land at the Chengdu airport, although to Ryan, calling the place an airport is a stretch. It is more like a couple of big metal Quonset huts stuck together. Military guards wearing green uniforms and carrying rifles stand around, giving him suspicious looks. All the signs are in Chinese. Ryan has no choice but to follow the crowd of passengers inside] [Suddenly, a guard in a green uniform grabs him by the shirt and barks something in Chinese. Ryan doesn't have a clue as to what he is saying. The guard says something more and looks pretty annoyed] [Not knowing what else to do, Ryan pulls out his passport]

I'm an American.

[The guard turns and calls some other official-looking types over. They all wear dark suits and white shirts. They stand around Ryan, looking at him like he came from a different planet. Meanwhile, Ryan looks around in confusion, craning his neck for a glimpse of his father]

I'm looking for my father, Dr. Michael Tyler.

[The men all scowl at him]

Ty-ler.
[One of the men grins appreciatively. Eventually, Ryan thinks. Someone who understands. The man points toward a door. Ryan takes one step, but stops in his tracks as the door swings open and a man comes out. Through the open doorway, he can see that it is a bathroom. Ryan shakes his head, no. He's said Tyler, not toilet] [Somehow, without any understanding between himself and anyone else, Ryan manages to collect his duffel bag and make his road out of the air terminal. He stands outside at the curb wondering where in the world his father is while dozens of people ride past on bicycles. Others walk side-by-side carrying dead ducks over their shoulders or pushing rickety wooden carts filled with strange-looking vegetables]

[Ryan pulls his Cubs cap on. He's never felt so lost or alone in his entire life. Where is his father? How can he just leave him there?] [Then he sees something that gives him hope. A dirty white minivan pulls up to the curb a dozen yards aside. On the side is the panda reserve emblem. It may be his dad] [Ryan lugs his duffel bag toward the vehicle. Meanwhile, several men in dark suits climb aboard. The doors start to close. Ryan runs up and bangs on them with his fist. A bewildered-looking driver opens the door and stares at him. Ryan looks in and is incredibly disappointed that his father isn't inside]

Does this bus go to the panda reserve?

[The men in dark suits light cigarettes and stare at Ryan like he is a Martian. Ryan doesn't care. He gets on the bus and sits down in the back. Wherever they are going, he is going, as well] [The headquarters of the reserve is located in a small collection of ramshackle buildings just off the road. There, in one of the shacks, a man named Chang studies a large map on an electronic screen. Here and there on the map are tiny red dots, representing the pandas Michael and his crew have tagged] [Something is bothering Chang, and now he summons Ling and Michael into the room. Pointing at one of the red dots, he speaks emotionally in Chinese to Ling]

What's he saying?

He said one panda hasn't moved for a long time.

[Michael nods gravely. That can mean any number of nonsense. Unfortunately, none of them are swell. He notices Chang and Ling giving each other looks]

There's something you're not warning me.

[Ling says something to Chang, who nods in agreement. Then she turns back to Michael]

It is the mother panda.
[Now Michael knows why she's been reluctant to warn him. If the mother of the cub is hurt or sick, then the cub is in mortal danger. And that means the entire reserve is in danger. It has been a horrible year for the reserve. Despite their best efforts, they've been unable to get any of the captive females pregnant. The one cub that has been born in the reserve the year before has died for no apparent reason. And poachers have taken two more cubs from the wild. The panda population in China is severely endangered, but the Chinese government has been threatening to cut off their funding if the reserve can't prove it is taking steps to help]

We have to go to her. Immediately!