Laughing, Uncle Buzz gave her a one-man round of applause.
JJ couldn’t have been more pleased. “I need this practice if I’m going to be a pilot someday,” she said. In her mind, however, she was thinking, a spaceship pilot.
These lessons were a thrill, but they had a serious purpose. Thanks to their recent Challenger Center adventure, JJ and her friends knew something that Uncle Buzz did not: An alien invasion was coming in the not-too-distant future, and Earth had only a generation to prepare for it. The skills they learned now might someday mean the difference between life and death for the human race.
***
Two
Dylan pushed speed-dial 4 on his cell phone; he’d been using that number a lot in the past month. Ever since their amazing trip to Moonbase Magellan and escaping from the Kylarn attack, one of them had called or emailed the other almost every day, just to check in.
Song-Ye picked up on the second ring and spoke immediately, having seen his name on the caller ID. She didn’t bother with any of the polite pleasantries that usually started a phone conversation. “You’ll never guess where I am, Junior.”
Donovan Dylan Wren, Dyl for short, no longer minded that the South Korean girl kept calling him Junior. The nickname had become a friendly joke between them, and they were learning to appreciate each other’s sense of humor. “Hmm … are you exploring a shipwreck in the Caribbean?” he teased.
Using his shoulder to press the phone against his ear, Dyl stirred a pot of spaghetti sauce with a long wooden spoon. He sat in front of the stove on a rolling stool he used when cooking for the family. He didn’t need his crutches in the kitchen. On the floor, their tuxedo cat Spock rubbed against his ankles.
“That’s your best guess—the Caribbean? As in, swimming with sharks? No, thank you,” Song-Ye said. “Try again, Junior.”
Dyl tasted the sauce and added some oregano. “Are you at the Rose Bowl, watching a football game?”
Song-Ye made her usual pfft sound that meant she was dismissing his comment. “I’m not a football fan. I really don’t understand why people want to watch a bunch of guys in fat-suits chasing a big brown egg up and down a field. One more guess.”
Dyl tried to be as outlandish as possible. “Buckingham Palace, then?”
“Ooh—close! Actually, I’m at a diplomatic reception at the British Embassy with my father.”
“Because … ?” He knew her father was a diplomat, and Song-Ye often found herself in VIP situations that neither Dyl nor his sister JJ ever encountered.
“Because he didn’t want to go alone, and Mom was called away for an emergency consult at Johns Hopkins Hospital—something about a Prime Minister with heart problems.”
“I thought you hated stuff like fancy receptions.” He tried to sound as if he was commiserating, but didn’t think he pulled it off.
Dyl could almost hear her shrugging one shoulder as she replied, “Normally, I do. These events can be kind of tedious. But Commander Zota wanted us to broaden our horizons and learn new things. There’s a lot at stake. In fact, I’m actually wearing a cocktail dress.”
“An alien-fighting cocktail dress?” He wasn’t sure how dressing up for a diplomatic party would help prepare them for the arrival of the Kylarn.
“A professional-looking cocktail dress, appropriate for meeting all sorts of world-class leaders. It’s midnight blue with tiny crystals sewn across it so that it looks like a starry night.”
“Now that I’d like to see—uh, purely for scientific purposes, of course. Maybe I could identify some of the constellations. I’ve been studying a little astronomy, you know, to do my part….”
She laughed. He liked it when she laughed. Dyl realized he was blushing. He could hear a muffled chatter of voices in the background, a piano playing. “Uh, aren’t you supposed to be keeping your father from getting bored right now?”
“Not really. He’s talking to the Duke of Something-or-Other. They were in the same college at Oxford—Merton, I think. Besides, it’s a cocktail reception, and I’m the only person here not drinking—for obvious reasons. So I stepped out on the patio for a few minutes.” She paused, then lowered her voice. “Are you getting excited yet?”
“About a diplomatic reception?” Dyl misunderstood her on purpose.
“Junior,” she said in mock exasperation.
“Oh, you mean about going back to the Challenger Center this weekend? Of course I am. I’ve been working on the assignment Mr. Zota gave us. I even figured out a way to get extra credit at school.” The enigmatic commander had promised that if they spent the month learning three new things according to his instructions, he would send them on another mission—into the future. And so Dyl, JJ, Song-Ye, and their friend Elton Elijah King had all been busy “earning” their next adventure.
Dyl put a pot of water on the stove for boiling the spaghetti noodles. Their mother would be home from her waitressing job any minute now, and it was Dyl’s turn to fix dinner. Later, while Mrs. Wren got ready to go to her evening job at the hotel, JJ would clean the kitchen. For now, his sister was doing homework in the living room.
On the phone, Song-Ye said, “Only two more days.”
“Check. T-minus two days and counting—over.” He turned on the timer for the pasta.
“Whatever. See you there, Junior. Over and out.”
JJ sat by the coffee table on the living room floor, doing her algebra problems and enjoying the aromas of baking garlic bread and simmering spaghetti sauce. The entire apartment smelled like an Italian restaurant. She also enjoyed the fact that Tony Vasquez sat next to her. Sure, he was here getting help on math, but his well-to-do parents could have afforded a private tutor, if he’d wanted one. Instead, he chose to be here with JJ.
Tony ran a hand through his curly light-brown hair and sighed. “I don’t know why I’m so dense. I ought to know this stuff. Boy, you’d think my parents were crash-test dummies instead of computer scientists.”
JJ snorted. “You’re not dumb. This not-getting-algebra is just temporary. You’re great at lots of subjects, this one’s just taking a little longer.”
He looked sidelong at her, and the worry in his blue-green eyes faded. “And how do you know I’m not an idiot?”
Looking up at the ceiling, JJ pursed her lips and thought for a moment. Her blond ponytail swished and tickled the back of her neck. “Well, you always solve mysteries halfway through the movie, you can do Sudoku puzzles in a flash. You made it to Level 100 of Rampart Raids IV faster than anyone I know, plus you built a robot that took first place at the science fair last year. Besides, I predict that you’re going to learn this soon, because you have a good tutor.”
He laughed at that. “Sure, she’s modest, too. Anyway, what if I’m just faking being bad at algebra so I can spend time with you?”
JJ could feel her face getting pink. “Well, in that case, I like the way you think.”
“Do you have time to tutor me on Saturday?”
She shook her head, hating to turn him down. “I’ve got kind of a … thing on Saturday.” And there was no way she would miss it.
He raised his eyebrows. “A thing?”
“An exercise, I’d guess you’d say,” JJ said evasively. She wasn’t supposed to talk about how the Star Challengers had gone to the future, visited the Moon, and tried to save Moonbase Magellan. Not that Tony would believe her anyway. “It’s at the Challenger Center.”
“Hey, that was my favorite field trip ever! Made me think of how awesome it would be to be a real astronaut. That simulation was very realistic.”
JJ was surprised by his enthusiasm. And you don’t know the half of it, she thought.
“Believe me, sometimes when I’m doing routines on the rings or parallel bars, I think about what it would feel like to be totally weightless.”
Tony was one of the top gymnasts at their high school. Sometimes JJ stayed after school to watch him practice. Tony could do an iron cross on the rings, which showed how strong
his arms and shoulders were. It had always amazed her that someone so smart was also so athletic.
“I’m going to be an astronaut,” JJ said. “That’s one reason I love going to the Challenger Center.”
“So, what’s the program? Can I come along?” He glanced down at the algebra book, but pushed the homework aside. “I just happen to be free on Saturday.”
“I ….” JJ felt awkward. Commander Zota had chosen their team specifically, briefed them on the realities of living in space and on the Moon, and sent them on their mission. That adventure had convinced the Star Challengers how urgent it was for the next generation to learn about science, math, and engineering. Zota had also given them a stern warning not to reveal the truth of who he was and what he could do.
“Well, I’d love to have you there, but … it’s sort of a private deal—my brother and me, and a couple of others.” Spock sauntered in from the kitchen, jumped onto the coffee table, and purred loudly for attention. JJ petted him, not sure what else to tell her friend. “Maybe another time.”
Tony looked disappointed, but he forced a smile. “I remember you saying you would go to the Moon someday. ‘Moon, sweet Moon,’ right? Of all the people who talk about things like that, I actually believe you could do it.”
For a moment, JJ saw it all again in her mind—the stark beauty of the lunar surface, how she could jump high off the ground with so little effort (even in her bulky space suit), the meteor showers … the alien attacks. She sighed. “Yeah. Moon, sweet Moon.”
Tony propped his elbow on the coffee table and put his chin on his hand. “Well, if you’re going to be an astronaut, maybe I’ll become a rocket scientist.”
JJ thought about the quest that Zota had given them—to encourage people their age to study sciences. The human race needed more scientists. Maybe she could convince him to let Tony go on a future mission.
She brightened. “Know what rocket scientists have to learn?”
“What?”
“Math.” She nudged Spock off of the algebra book and pushed it back toward Tony.
He pounded his fist against his palm, like a fighter getting ready to take on an opponent. “Then let’s focus on the homework and get this done.”
***
Three
JJ’s heart raced at the sight of the Challenger Center when their mom drove up to drop her and Dyl off. Her brother fidgeted with anticipation of the day’s upcoming adventure. The Center was still the same squat, unassuming brick building it had always been, with a large-scale model of a rocket standing tall in front of it. But now that JJ and Dyl knew what was inside, it seemed more tantalizing.
“I’m glad you’re excited about this,” said Mrs. Wren, “especially since I have to pull an extra shift today. You enjoyed Mr. Zota’s last simulation so much that I know you’ll have a good time. Are you sure I don’t need to pick you up?”
“Already got it covered,” JJ assured her.
“Song-Ye’s driver Winston will take us home afterward—in a limo,” Dyl said. “Cool, huh?”
JJ added, “We’ve made some good friends.”
Climbing out of the car, Dyl set his crutches firmly on the pavement and moved aside. Although he would never walk normally, he had adapted well since the car accident that had injured him.
Mrs. Wren said, “Love you both whole bunches.”
“Love you, Mom,” JJ and Dyl replied in unison.
JJ closed both of the car doors while Dyl pretended to speak into an imaginary voice recorder. “Cadet’s Log, T-minus five minutes and counting. We are on final approach to the space center.” He gave JJ a mock salute and swung forward on his crutches, heading toward the Challenger Center building.
JJ could see they weren’t the only ones excited about the meeting. King and Song-Ye were already waiting outside the door, having arrived separately. Petite and graceful, Song-Ye had straight black hair and dark eyes that seemed to mock the world. King, who was six feet tall, had light brown skin, a mellow voice, and a confident manner.
They all exchanged greetings and hugs and spent the next few minutes in animated chatter. The friends agreed that emails, texts, and phone calls were no substitute for being together.
JJ turned in surprise when a dark blue Lexus sedan drove up and pulled to the curb in front of the Challenger Center.
“Are we expecting anyone else?” King asked.
JJ opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out, as the car door opened and a grinning Tony Vasquez emerged. He saw JJ and waved.
Tony’s father leaned over and called, “Have a good time. Give it your best, Antonio.”
“Believe me, I will, Dad.” Tony shut the car door and bounded with a gymnast’s grace up the sidewalk as the Lexus drove away. “Bet you didn’t think I was coming!” he said to JJ.
“Looks like somebody blabbed,” Dyl whispered.
JJ finally managed to speak. “Tony … what are you doing here? I said …”
“I told you, I really enjoyed that Challenger Center field trip. So I’m going to ask if I can participate. There’s always room for one more, right? What’s the worst they can say?” While a flustered JJ tried to think of a response, he turned to Song-Ye and King. “Hi, I’m Tony Vasquez. I go to school with JJ and Dylan.”
King shook his hand. Song-Ye gave him a skeptical look. “Whatever.”
The building door opened, and a trim man with dusky skin and a jagged scar down his left cheek nodded in welcome. In spite of his pure white hair, Commander Zota did not look the least bit old. “Greetings, Cadets.” Consternation filled the flight director’s gray eyes when he caught sight of Tony. “And who might our guest be?”
JJ, secretly glad to see Tony, knew she was responsible for explaining his presence. “This is my friend Tony from school, and this is Commander Zota. Tony and I were doing homework together, and I might have mentioned something about today. He was so impressed with our class field trip to the Challenger Center that he just … showed up.”
Tony reached out and shook Zota’s hand. “Nice to meet you, sir. I saw you when our class came here for a mission last month. I’d like to join the group, if you’ll let me. I promise I’ll take the assignment seriously, whatever you give me.”
The commander gestured them inside, still acting somewhat cool. “Indeed, we may have to make a few … adjustments to accommodate a new crewmember. Would you be so kind, Cadet Vasquez, as to wait while Cadet Wren”—he glanced pointedly at JJ—“assists me briefly.”
Tony took a seat on the bench just inside the doorway, against the corridor wall. Dyl and King sat beside him. Song-Ye made a beeline for a colorful plastic rodent habitat at the back of the round lobby. “Newton!” She took the hamster out and held him gently in one hand while stroking his head with the other. They had rescued the hamster from Moonbase Magellan in the future, just before the base was attacked.
JJ followed Commander Zota down the hallway and into the small briefing room. Under other circumstances, JJ loved this room. The ceiling twinkled with fiber-optic stars on a field of black, and a round light representing the Sun shone from the center of a model of the solar system overhead. At the moment, however, JJ suspected she was about to receive a stern lecture.
“Mr. Vasquez did not receive an invitation,” Commander Zota began. “Remember, I selected you four specifically. We have so much to do, and it could be quite dangerous if others learned about our work. I cannot afford to risk the future for just anyone who happens to arrive.”
JJ stood up for her friend. “Tony’s not just anyone. He’s really smart, and I trust him. I’m sorry I mentioned our group, but I didn’t invite him. He decided to come on his own. It may be impulsive, but it’s also pretty brave. Besides, you said one of the reasons you came back in time was to help us get our whole generation interested in science. Tony’s interested. Shouldn’t we encourage that?”
The commander frowned. “Perhaps, but you must all agree to keep my presence here as secret as possible. T
hat information is on a need-to-know basis, just as your travels in time must be kept quiet. You know how much is at stake. Security cannot be taken lightly. We have enemies out there, and they do not all look like Kylarn.”
JJ wasn’t entirely convinced that it mattered who knew about Mr. Zota. Even if the truth leaked out, who would believe in time travelers and alien invasions? Still, he was worried. “Got it. I promise to keep it secret from now on, and I’ll be sure to remind the others so they understand how serious the situation is. But will you please give Tony a chance? He’d make a great mem-ber of the team, and I think he’s already leaning toward science as a career.”
Zota’s face was grave. “Very well. But I remind you, saying anything to anyone about time travel or my role here could have serious consequences.”
When they were all in the small briefing room, Zota stood before them in his blue jumpsuit, hands clasped behind his back. “And now, cadets, tell me how you did on your TNT assignments—Three New Things you learned since last we met. Since we have a newcomer, I’ll explain what my expectations were.”
His gray eyes narrowed as he turned to Tony. “The first part of the TNT challenge was to study at least one new topic related to engineering, mathematics, science, or technology. With these tools, you will build the foundation of your future.
“Part two was to step out of your current routine and learn something that makes you uncomfortable, perhaps something you have been avoiding. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone. This allows you to approach problems from different angles, and helps you to mature.
“Part three was to strengthen your bodies in some new way. The future will make physical, as well as mental, demands of you. And in general, the healthier you are, the easier it is to think clearly. Please begin, Cadet King.”
King stopped humming “Eye of the Tiger” and launched into his report. “For the first part, I took a simple intro to electronics course on the Internet. Second, languages aren’t really my thing, but I learned how to count and say hello in Russian, Chinese, and French. For physical training, I started kickboxing using a DVD my dad got me. And even though I know it wasn’t part of the assignment, I finished my Eagle project, too.” He grinned and brushed self-consciously at his shirt. “You are now looking at an official Eagle Scout.” His friends clapped and cheered.
Space Station Crisis: Star Challengers Book 2 Page 2