There was a flurry of whispers and giggles.
‘He’s here.’ Griffin didn’t look nearly as pleased as the adoring fans.
The boy slipped on a pair of sunglasses and lifted his hand in a casual wave, which sparked another flurry of giggles. ‘Yes,’ he said, beaming. ‘I’m back!’
‘Xavier!’ Bea and Raffy raced over and threw their arms around him, almost knocking the older boy over.
‘Come on.’ Isabella nudged Griffin. ‘We’d better say hello.’
‘Do we have to?’
‘He’s our friend.’
‘Who wants to be everyone’s hero.’
‘He’s always been a show-off,’ Isabella said. ‘You shouldn’t let it bother you.’
Griffin watched even more kids surround Xavier as he launched into a story, most likely about his favourite subject – himself. ‘I know, but it burns me up that he lies so blatantly.’
‘Xavier never lets facts ruin a good story. Besides, you can’t avoid him. He’s coming to live with us, remember, while his mum’s away looking after his grandma?’
‘I’ve been trying to block that out.’
Isabella raised an eyebrow.
‘Okay, but I don’t have to enjoy it.’
Griffin shoved his hands in his pockets and they shuffled over as Xavier was finishing a story about steering his Aerotrope through a storm.
‘It was treacherous but my expert flying skills meant I was able to pull out of the tailspin and avoid being slammed into the river and meeting my instant doom.’
‘Were you scared?’ A young boy stepped closer, as if desperate not to miss a word.
‘There was no time to be scared. The situation called for clear thinking and courage.’
Griffin rolled his eyes and turned away but Isabella grabbed his sleeve and playfully pulled him back.
Another boy piped up. ‘Tell us again how you fought the sea monster in Grimsdon.’
‘Yes, tell us.’ Griffin pretended to be intrigued. ‘I’d like to hear that story too.’
‘I’d love to.’ Xavier checked his watch. ‘But the bell’s about to ring. Come see me tomorrow and I’ll tell you everything.’
The group ran off leaving Xavier smiling at his friends. ‘Looks like I was missed.’
‘It must be exhausting being so adored.’ Griffin wore a sympathetic frown.
‘Being a hero can be tiring, Griffman.’
‘My name is Griffin.’
‘Ah,’ Xavier said, patting him on the back. ‘I like Griffman better.’
A loud screech sounded from overhead. Raffy looked up and spotted an eagle. ‘Charlie!’
He searched the crowd of children until he saw a girl with a dark, pixie haircut, carrying a satchel, brimming with books.
‘Fly!’ Raffy waved madly.
Her face brightened. She hurried over and was showered in hugs.
Fly had lived with them in Grimsdon. They’d found her on a rooftop, alone and cold. Last year, the government tracked down her parents and she now lived with them. Being apart from Fly was hard for all of them, but it had hit Griffin the hardest. She was like a little sister to him and he missed her terribly.
The eagle let loose another screech and swooped into a dive before drawing back his wings and landing on Fly’s outstretched arm.
‘He came to say goodbye.’ The eagle lowered his head and Fly stroked his powerful back. Students stared in awe, marvelling at the majestic bird.
‘He got used to me being around during the holidays and he’s not happy I’m here.’ She turned her head away from him and whispered, ‘Especially now he’s not a rescue eagle anymore.’
‘What?’ Raffy was confused. ‘But he’s the government’s best.’
‘He saved my life,’ Bea argued. ‘He found me in the snow when no one else could.’
‘All the eagles are being replaced,’ Fly said.
‘By what?’ Griffin asked.
Fly shrugged. ‘They wouldn’t say, just that it’s something more efficient.’
‘More efficient than Charlie?’ Bea huffed. ‘Impossible.’
The eagle craned his neck and shrieked. Fly tickled his chin and he calmed. She had a way with animals, as if they understood each other. She’d been like this before she could even talk.
‘The good news is, he needed a new home so he’s coming to live with me. We’ll train every afternoon, won’t we, Charlie?’
The eagle seemed to purr when Fly nudged her nose into his cheek. ‘Off you go. I’ll see you at home.’ She lifted her arm and Charlie launched into the air. He rose above them, letting out one last cry.
A long, sleek Armavan drove up to the school. It was more like a limousine than a tank. A teenage boy stepped out wearing red pants, a long, navy coat and with mousy blond hair. He was fifteen or sixteen and, judging by the reaction he was causing, had no trouble attracting admirers.
‘Who’s that?’ Xavier eyed the boy’s expensive boots, his casual good looks, and instantly disliked him.
‘Aleksander Larsen,’ Griffin explained. ‘He’s the Academy’s top student.’
‘Why haven’t I heard of him?’
Griffin gave him an incredulous look. ‘Because you don’t read the school newsletters?’
‘I don’t have time for that.’ Xavier sniffed. ‘I’m a busy man.’
Isabella watched as students surrounded Aleksander and fell into easy laughter. ‘Where’s he been?’
‘He spent most of last year working with a company on a secret project.’ Griffin was clearly in awe. ‘They say he’s a genius. Topped all his classes and has been the Aeroball champion for three years running, except last year when he was away.’
‘Well, isn’t he the Wonder Boy.’ Xavier pursed his lips.
Aleksander caught Isabella’s eye and waved as if he recognised her.
‘Do you know him?’ Bea asked.
Isabella waved back. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘I wonder what he was working on?’ Griffin said. ‘Only the best and brightest are taken out of school.’
‘Best and brightest,’ Xavier scoffed. ‘He should try living in a flooded city.’
‘Which makes Griffin one of the best and brightest,’ Fly reminded him. ‘We survived because of his inventions, remember?’
‘Griff is clever, don’t get me wrong,’ Xavier said. ‘But I built a flying machine. I fought dangerous thugs. I battled a sea monster.’
Bea scowled. ‘You never battled a sea monster.’
‘Princess Bea,’ Xavier said, as if she’d somehow forgotten this brave feat, ‘I escaped death by mere seconds. I saw my life flash before my eyes.’
‘Was it full of award ceremonies and swooning girls?’ Griffin asked innocently.
‘Xavier!’ A voice called from a group of excited students.
Xavier slung his bag over his shoulder. ‘At least someone appreciates my brilliance.’
He walked off in a sulk.
Isabella tried to stifle a giggle when she saw Aleksander laughing with a group of friends. There was something about his manner and the way he looked that gave her the feeling they had met before. That they’d shared something in the past. But how?
As he entered the archway, Aleksander turned and gave her one last wave, before disappearing into the shadows.
CHAPTER THREE
A Special Demonstration
The cavernous school hall rumbled with mutterings of students and teachers catching up and sharing news when the low, mournful sound of a horn brought the room to silence. The students rose to their feet.
Principal Galloway stood at the lectern wearing a flowing purple dress and matching scarf that held back her long silver hair. Griffin had liked her from the first time he saw her. She was calm and smart and had the confidence of an astronaut about to go into space. While he was clumsy and awkward and worried about almost everything.
She gazed affectionately at the students. ‘Please be seated.’
On the wall
s were life-sized paintings of some of the world’s greatest inventors: Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Alan Turing.
‘Esteemed teachers and students, welcome back to the Academy. You are here because you are New City’s brightest and most talented.’ She paused, her eyes sweeping over them. ‘And you have never been more needed.’
Bea whispered to Raffy, ‘I told you so.’
‘We are living in what scientists call the Anthropocene Age. Our actions are harming the planet, causing wild weather, rising sea levels and the disappearance of plants and animals.’
She let the weight of her words hang in the air.
‘So we’ve made a real mess and, as I say to my own children, you make a mess, you clean it up.’ She stared into the hall with unbridled admiration. ‘We’re planting forests in the ground and kelp in the oceans, we’ve closed coalmines and switched to renewables. We’re building floating homes in Holland and bringing dying coral reefs back to life.’
Fly slipped her notebook from her satchel and began sketching Principal Galloway in a flying house. Griffin caught her eye and smiled. It was a good likeness.
‘But we need to do more. We need people like you who are smart, creative and adventurous to protect the future of the human race.’
‘See?’ Xavier nudged Griffin. ‘Smart, creative and adventurous. That’s me.’
‘You forgot modest,’ Isabella said.
‘That’s because I’m so modest,’ Xavier replied with a wink.
‘As you know, the Academy works with companies who transform our ideas into reality.’ She focused on one student. ‘And the latest collaboration was with our very own Aleksander Larsen. Please help me welcome him back.’
Xavier watched Aleksander rise to his feet and students reach over to pat him on the back. He gave a small nod before sitting down again.
‘My hero,’ Xavier mumbled.
‘It’s good you have someone to admire,’ Griffin teased.
‘Up until now, the project has been classified.’ Principal Galloway paused as if she had a delicious secret. ‘But at tonight’s special reception at the Halls of Government, all will be revealed.’
Excited whispers filled the hall.
‘I bet it’ll be brilliant.’ Griffin’s head jammed with wild inventions while Xavier sighed as if hoping they could talk about something else.
‘But for now, we have our own special treat. To tell us more, please welcome from Future World Solutions, Ariella Frost.’
A tall woman in staggeringly high heels walked on stage with clipped, efficient steps. She shook the principal’s hand before straightening her tight black dress and gripping the podium. Her hair was styled into a bright orange bob and her lips sparkled a fiery red.
‘Future World Solutions has worked on many projects to protect our planet.’ Ariella’s voice had a sweet, soothing tone, like a storyteller at bedtime. ‘And I’m here this morning to present our latest.’
She gazed up to the ceiling, not saying a word.
‘What’s she looking at?’ Griffin adjusted his glasses and squinted.
Fly noticed a tiny movement in the curved rafters. ‘I think we’re about to find out.’
A large bird spread its wings and flew down into the hall. Students gasped. Bea and Raffy ducked as it sailed only centimetres above them before lifting into a gentle upward glide and landing on the lectern beside Ariella.
The creature folded its wings and held its head high, as if waiting at attention.
‘What’s he thinking?’ Griffin asked Fly.
She closed her sketchbook and tried to concentrate on the bird’s thoughts. ‘I’m not sure. I can’t hear anything.’
‘Meet Ruben.’ Ariella Frost’s personality sparkled almost as much as her lipstick. ‘Our newest breed of rescue eagle. Strong, resilient and fearless.’
Bea wasn’t impressed. ‘That’s Charlie’s replacement?’
Raffy frowned. ‘What’s the difference?’
Almost in answer to his question, Ariella said, ‘The previous eagles took months to train and became tired during long and difficult rescues. Ruben was trained in mere days and won’t rest until his mission is complete.’
She searched the hall. ‘Does anyone have a coin?’
A young boy at the back cried, ‘I do.’
‘Hold it up and I’ll send Ruben to fetch it.’
Bea couldn’t believe what she was seeing. ‘She thinks this bird is better than Charlie because he can do tricks?’
Ruben launched himself from the lectern and glided through the hall.
Fly and the others watched the eagle zero in on his target, but instead of taking the coin, Ruben’s sharp talons snatched the boy’s jacket and lifted him from his seat.
Students scrambled to catch him but he was quickly out of reach.
‘Is that supposed to happen?’ Griffin stared as the boy was carried higher. His jacket bunched around his neck and his arms stuck out like a scarecrow.
‘Maybe.’ Isabella was poised to help, until she noticed he was smiling. ‘He doesn’t seem too worried.’
‘Woo hoo!’ the boy cried as he was ferried towards the stage. The eagle’s wings rose and fell easily, as if carrying a human several times his own weight was no effort at all.
Ruben let him down before landing on the lectern.
Students and teachers jumped to their feet, cheering and clapping. Bea, Fly and Raffy reluctantly stood too.
‘It was impressive,’ Raffy had to admit.
‘Just don’t tell Charlie,’ Fly said.
Ariella whispered something to the boy and he ran down the aisle, high-fiving kids as he went.
‘Throughout history, animals have been used to rescue us, and sadly, not all survived or returned unharmed.’ Ariella’s lips rose into a victorious grin. ‘We will no longer be that cruel.’
Then she did something astounding. She reached over to Ruben, worked her fingers into his feathery chest and opened it to reveal mechanical insides.
Murmurs riffled through the hall.
Fly stared in disbelief at the wires and circuit boards. ‘He looks so real.’
‘Ruben is from our new team of Robotic Rescue Eagles. Unlike real birds, they don’t need rest or food and can brave the harshest weather. They can fly to rescue sites with pinpoint accuracy. More people will be saved and not one eagle will ever be in danger again.’
She closed Ruben’s feathery panel, held out her arm and he hopped from the lectern onto her sleeve. Even though the bird was large, Ariella barely flinched. ‘So study hard and together we will make the world a better, safer place.’
The robot released a loud screech.
‘Ruben thinks so too.’
The students laughed and cheered. Ariella nodded to Principal Galloway and walked down the aisle. Everyone craned their necks to get a closer look. Ruben was unmoved by the stares and whispers, but as he passed Fly, he turned his head. His bright yellow eyes met hers, as if he was deliberately seeking her out. Fly flinched.
‘Are you okay?’ Griffin saw her face pale.
‘I … I think so,’ she stammered. ‘I …’
Before she could finish Principal Galloway was at the lectern. ‘Now it’s time to find out your classes.’
Raffy had been so caught up in the display, he’d almost forgotten this part. He reached for Bea’s hand. ‘Always stay close.’
‘Always.’ Bea nodded.
It was a mantra they said to each other from when they were young, especially when one of them was feeling scared.
‘Along with your core lessons, you’ve been placed in specialist classes according to your strengths,’ Principal Galloway said. ‘Some high achieving students have also been paired to work together.’
‘Oh great.’ Xavier sighed. ‘I’m going to be stuck with Wonder Boy.’
‘They may not be talking about you,’ Griffin reminded him.
‘Thanks, Griffman, but who else would they choose?’
Principal Gal
loway gazed at the sea of students. ‘I wish you a safe, exciting and innovative term. You may check your schedules.’
The hall filled with the rustle of hands reaching for phones.
Griffin smiled at the words on his screen. ‘Climatology.’
During many late nights at home with Jeremiah, talking about his work at the Bureau, Griffin had become fascinated by the study of the Earth’s weather patterns.
‘Yes!’ Bea looked up from her phone. ‘Futuristics!’
‘Me too!’ Fly’s drawing and Bea’s imagination made them perfect candidates for creating more sustainable schools, homes and playgrounds. Bea especially liked designing playgrounds.
‘Robotics?’ Isabella frowned. ‘Why would they put me there?’
‘It’s your own fault,’ Griffin said with a smirk. ‘You’re clever at everything you do.’
‘Vehicle Science,’ Xavier said, obviously pleased. ‘Which makes sense because I –’
‘Built my very own flying machine,’ everyone chorused.
‘Well, I did and it –’
‘Saved our lives,’ they laughed.
Xavier pouted. ‘I don’t think my brilliance is taken seriously.’
‘Raffy?’ Isabella noticed he hadn’t said anything. ‘How did you go?’
They stared at the young boy, desperate for the news to be good.
‘Sports Domes.’
‘That’s great!’ Bea cried. ‘You love sport!’
‘As an apprentice.’
There was a heavy silence. They all knew what that meant.
‘That’s what you do with the kids who aren’t good enough to do anything else.’
‘That’s not true –’ Bea began but Raffy cut her off.
‘It is, Bea. It’s one step from being thrown out. If I can’t pick up my grades this term, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.’ He pulled his bag onto his back. ‘I’d better go.’
Bea watched her brother join the flow of students heading to class. The heaviness in his shoulders made him seem so much smaller than the others. Ever since the twins had lost their parents, they’d promised to always take care of each other, but lately Bea was finding it harder to lift Raffy from his dark moods.
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