The Kid Kingdom

by H. Badger

  ‘This is Fergus, and I’m Ker,’ said the kid. His three eyes twitched first left, then right. Kip noticed his middle eye stalk was longer than the others.

  ‘Ker’s the leader of Yufe,’ Fergus added firmly.

  A kid in charge of an entire planet? Kip couldn’t believe it.

  Kip noticed Fergus giving Finbar a yellow-eyed stare, as if daring him to disagree.

  Kip had a bad feeling about Fergus. Something about that alien wolf seemed like trouble.

  CHAPTER 5

  Kip and Finbar smiled uncertainly at Ker and Fergus. It was pretty freaky meeting an alien version of yourself deep in an unexplored galaxy, but Kip still thought Yufe was fun.

  ‘Come on,’ said Ker. ‘I’ll show you around. My place is over there.’

  Like Kip, Ker lived in an apartment building. Kip and his parents lived in a tiny apartment thousands of storeys up. But Ker seemed to have this apartment building all to himself. And it was awesome!

  Ker’s House

  There was no lift between the floors. Instead, transparent chutes sucked you up the outside of the building, and slides ran from the top floor to the ground. At the bottom of the building was a swimming pool and garden.

  Heaps of Ker’s friends were relaxing on motorised lilos as Refresherbots brought them food and drinks.

  Then Kip spotted something sailing through the air towards his head. It looked a bit like a chocolate éclair, except the icing was orange and the cream inside was frothing.

  ‘Food fight!’ yelled one of Ker’s friends.

  Ker whipped a portable mini-laser from his pocket and blasted the alien éclair to pieces. He laughed as cream splattered everywhere.

  ‘There’s nothing this cool on Earth!’ Kip said to Finbar.

  ‘Or this messy,’ Finbar muttered, picking blue baked beans out of his fur. ‘Shouldn’t Ker be more responsible?’ He’s supposed to be running this planet!’

  But Kip was too caught up in the food fight to listen. His SpaceCuff was buzzing, but he ignored that too.

  He grabbed a hamburger-shaped melon from a passing Refresherbot and lobbed it at an alien kid.

  SPLAT!

  ‘I’m going to get you, Alien Boy!’ the kid shrieked at Kip.

  Kip was swept into the game. Finbar hated getting his white fur dirty, so he ducked behind a tree.

  Kip hurled a green ice-cream sundae into the air. It sailed into the street, smashing into a lone figure. The kid was wearing a long black cloak instead of bright colours like the rest of the kids.

  ‘Hey, sorry,’ called Finbar, as Kip ran off. ‘Kip didn’t mean to hit you.’

  The kid didn’t seem to have noticed the ice-cream, though. Instead, he was staring anxiously towards the large comet in the sky. But at the sound of Finbar’s voice, the kid vanished down a narrow alley behind Ker’s apartment building.

  The food fight had turned into a bombing competition in the pool. Ker and Kip were relaxing on deckchairs, green drinks bubbling over the top of their glasses. Fergus sat by Ker’s side.

  ‘Who was that kid wearing the black cloak?’ Finbar asked, coming over.

  ‘Probably your stupid sist–’ Fergus began, muttering under his breath.

  ‘Oh, who cares, Fergus,’ said Ker, grinning at Kip. ‘Fergus worries about details, but I just like to have fun. That’s what makes me a popular leader.’

  ‘And why Yufe is obviously the best planet EVER!’ Kip said. ‘In fact...’

  Kip decided that now was the perfect time to explain his mission to Ker. As leader of Yufe, Ker could surely authorise Earth’s people to move in. To Kip, this planet looked perfect. Clean air. Water to spare. And non-stop fun all day!

  After telling Ker about Earth’s situation, Kip asked the big question.‘Could we bring some people here to live? Some more kids and their mums and dads?’

  A puzzled expression crossed Ker’s face. ‘Kids? Mumsandads? What are they?’ he asked.

  Now Kip was confused. ‘Kids are like us. Mums and dads are wrinkled old people. They make rules and talk about eating your vegies a lot. Oh, and they love telling corny jokes.’

  Ker made a fake spewing noise. ‘Mumsandads sound awful!’

  Obviously, Ker didn’t know grown-ups even existed. It explained why the kids were running riot on Yufe. The planet was kids only!

  But if all they do is have fun, how did kids manage to invent the cool stuff they’ve got here? Kip wondered.

  Finbar had questions of his own. ‘How are new kids born without grown-ups?’ he asked.

  Ker explained that no-one on Yufe was older than 12. Just before kids turned 13, they started aging in reverse until they were toddlers. No-one died or was born – kids just got older and younger over and over again.

  Kip was stunned. With no grown-ups, life would be paradise. No school, no bedtime and no-one telling you what to do!

  ‘Well, you’re welcome to move here, Kip,’ Ker said. ‘As long as you like to have fun!’

  Fergus gave a low growl. ‘Ker’s in charge, though – don’t forget.’

  Kip smiled. Even if Fergus was a bit unfriendly, Ker’s offer was tempting. Very tempting.

  ‘There’s just one condition,’ Ker added. ‘You’ve got to leave all those horrible mumsandads behind!’

  CHAPTER 6

  Space Scouting was full of big decisions. But this was one of the toughest Kip had ever faced. If he could convince WorldCorp that Yufe was Earth 2, then Earth’s kids would be guaranteed a life of never-ending fun.

  Plus I’d get all the glory as the Scout who discovered the next Earth! Kip thought.

  But with a twinge he remembered his dad’s jokes. Although he might be silly sometimes, his dad was still loveable.

  Could I really move to a new galaxy and leave my parents behind? he wondered.

  Kip was so deep in thought, he hardly noticed his SpaceCuff buzzing furiously.

  ‘Where have you been?’ squawked MoNa when Kip took the call. But strangely, she didn’t sound furious.

  She just sounds… panicked, thought Kip. He felt a prickle of fear in his stomach.

  ‘My system detected a large comet near Yufe before you landed,’ MoNa continued. ‘Now my sensors are telling me it’s gone rogue!’

  Oh no! A rogue comet was one that’d broken its orbit. It would cause catastrophic damage if it crashed into a planet.

  ‘That big comet we saw,’ Finbar said gravely. ‘I knew there was something wrong with it!’

  Kip turned to Ker. He couldn’t believe the look on Ker’s face. He was grinning. It was as if Ker hadn’t heard what Finbar said.

  ‘Want to go and muck around on the 360-degree waterslide?’ Ker asked.

  ‘You’re kidding, right?’ Kip answered. ‘Your planet is facing a massive crisis, and–’

  ‘Crisis?’ echoed Ker. ‘What’s a crisis?’

  Kip shook his head. The kids on Yufe were used to having fun all the time. They were totally unprepared for danger!

  ‘Who are the smartest kids onYufe?’ Kip asked Ker. ‘We’re going to need everyone’s help to solve this.’

  Ker shrugged. ‘Why worry so much when you could be having fun?’ he said. ‘It’ll work itself out.’

  Kip took one look at Finbar and knew what he was thinking. For the leader of a planet, Ker had no idea how to run things.

  ‘Do you think any of the other kids would take us seriously?’ Finbar whispered.

  Kip thought it was worth a shot. Telling Ker they were going to have a better look around, he and Finbar left.

  Outside, there were kids everywhere.

  ‘Find the 12-year-olds.They’re probably the smartest!’ Kip said.

  Finbar nodded and they took off into the crowd. Kip ran up to a girl who looked about his age.

  ‘Excuse me,’ he said. ‘Your planet is in grave danger and we need your help.’

  The girl’s eyes twitched. For a second, Kip felt hopeful.

  Then…

  ‘You’re it!’ t
he girl yelled, running off.

  Kip’s shoulders slumped. The kids were in the middle of a chasey game. They’d be impossible to distract now!

  Finbar chased after a boy wearing a peaked silver cap. Running up behind him, Finbar reached out a paw. But then the kid vanished! His silver cap fluttered to the ground.

  ‘Must be an Exploding Matter Cap!’ Kip panted, running up to Finbar.

  Exploding Matter Caps used the same technology as Scrambler Beams. Electrodes inside the cap blew your particles so wide apart that you turned invisible temporarily. The effect wore off in two minutes or so, when your particles flew back together. Excellent fun for chasey, Kip thought darkly. But downright annoying when you’ve got a planet to save!

  ‘After him!’ Finbar yelled as another lanky kid ran by in an Exploding Matter Cap.

  Kip sped after the kid and made a grab at him. Too late! The kid disappeared, leaving Kip holding an empty cap.

  ‘DON’T YOU REALISE THIS ISN’T A GAME?’ Kip yelled.

  With no grown-ups to ask for help, Kip and Finbar were on their own.

  ‘We could call MoNa and ask her to send two Scramblers,’ Finbar said quietly. ‘At least we could escape that way.’

  Kip shook his head grimly. It wouldn’t be honourable for a Space Scout to escape and leave a planet in danger.

  Somehow he had to convince a planet of fun-loving kids that their fun would soon be over unless they helped him.

  Either that, or stop the rogue comet single-handedly.

  And both options seemed impossible!

  CHAPTER 7

  There has to be a way out of this mess, Kip thought, his teeth gritted.

  Hoping an idea would come to him, Kip scanned the fun-filled city.

  Kids in Exploding Matter Caps. The chocolate fountain. The cannon they’d seen when they first landed.

  It’s all very high-tech gear for a society of kids who do nothing but have fun, thought Kip.

  ‘Who invented this stuff, Finbar?’ asked Kip.

  As he said it, a figure in a black cloak hurried along the alley near Ker’s house, catching Kip’s eye.

  Kip turned to Finbar.‘Did you just see that kid in the cloak?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes,’ said Finbar. ‘I saw another kid dressed the same earlier on.’

  A theory was forming in Kip’s mind. A high tech city full of cool inventions. Mysterious kids in cloaks. Plus, didn’t WorldCorp say someone had been communicating with them, wanting help with technology?That didn’t sound like Ker!

  ‘Ker and the fun-loving kids can’t be the only ones living on Yufe!’ Kip said in a low voice.

  Finbar nodded. ‘I hope you’re right.’

  ‘Those cloaked kids might be able to help us,’ Kip went on. ‘If we can find them.’

  For the millionth time since he became a Space Scout, Kip was grateful for Finbar’s wolf side. His 2iC raced to the alley and sniffed the ground expertly. Within moments, his tail began wagging.

  ‘I’ve picked up the kid’s scent,’ Finbar said. ‘Now all we have to do is follow it.’

  Stealth was critical. For whatever reason, the cloaked kids were keeping to themselves. Kip had to find their hide-out and figure out a way to talk to them before they saw him and ran off.

  Kip set his brand-new Ace-teroid space boots to silent by adjusting a dial on the ankle. At once, a spongy balloon shot out of the heel, filling with gel and enveloping the entire boot in a soft, squishy cover. No matter what surface Kip walked on, his footsteps wouldn’t make a sound.

  Finbar took his boots off completely and stashed them in his backpack. He padded along silently on his soft paws.

  Finbar led the way. His nose was pointed to the ground, sniffing hard. Behind him, Kip stuck to the shadows, the way he’d learnt in Space Scout stealth training.

  The dark alley twisted and turned, leading Kip and Finbar away from Ker’s apartment building.

  ‘Are you sure this is right?’ asked Kip.

  Finbar nodded. ‘The scent’s getting stronger,’ he said.

  Ace-teroid Space Boots

  He followed it until they came to a black metal trapdoor that was cut into the road. It was almost invisible. Kneeling down, Kip slowly levered up the door.

  ‘What if they’re hostile?’ Finbar whispered in a worried tone.

  Without answering, Kip wriggled through the trapdoor. He didn’t know what would be waiting on the other side, but he had a feeling these kids were their best hope for saving Yufe.

  Kip found himself in a dark tunnel. A dull light shone further along, so Kip crept towards it. Finbar followed close behind.

  The light was coming from a room ahead. The door had been left slightly ajar. Kip pushed on it gently.

  CRRRR-EEEEEAK!

  The door slowly swung open.

  Kip sucked in a gasp. Inside the room was a massive laboratory filled with hundreds of kids in black cloaks!

  Every inch of the lab was packed with gadgets. There were blinking computer screens, bleeping monitors and silver machines Kip couldn’t identify. Kids in cloaks were busy scribbling notes and consulting clipboards.

  ‘Err…excuse me,’ said Kip in his loudest voice.

  The kids all turned to look, and the room fell silent.

  ‘I’m Kip and this is Finbar,’ Kip said to the kids. ‘We’re from planet Earth. We’ve come about the rogue comet. Your planet is in serious danger.’

  A girl exactly Kip’s height stepped forward. Kip noticed her skin was pasty and pale green instead of bright green like the kids on the surface.

  ‘We know,’ said the alien girl, her three eye-stalks fixing on Kip.

  There was something oddly familiar about the way the middle eye was longer than the others...

  ‘We feared that comet might go rogue,’ the girl said. ‘We called Earth to ask for help. We thought you were here to help us! But then you just wanted to have fun, like Ker and all the rest. We had to get on with solving things ourselves.’

  Kip felt sheepish. ‘I’m sorry about that. But who are you?’ he asked. ‘And more importantly, how are we going to save Yufe?’

  CHAPTER 8

  The tall, pale-skinned alien girl studied Kip carefully. Then she seemed to decide to trust him. Her suspicious look faded.

  ‘We call ourselves the Undergrounders,’ she said. ‘I’m Kal, the leader.’

  Kal explained that, like Ker and the others, the Undergrounders never grew older than 12. But unlike the kids who lived on the surface, the Undergrounders knew that some things had to be taken seriously.

  ‘This galaxy’s full of big comets,’ Kal explained. ‘It was only a matter of time before one crashed into us.’

  ‘I suppose Ker and the others didn’t want to worry about comets spoiling their fun,’ Finbar said.

  ‘That’s right. And over time, it became easier to shut ourselves off and live down here,’ Kal continued, nodding. ‘We worked on protecting Yufe in case of a crisis.’

  ‘Did you also invent all the high-tech gadgets on Yufe?’ asked Kip, thinking of the chocolate fountain and hoverboards.

  ‘Of course we did,’ said Kal. ‘My team don’t only invent serious stuff. We invent all of Yufe’s fun gadgets here too.’

  Kip had lots of questions to ask, but one of the kids at a computer screen suddenly spun around on his chair.

  ‘By my calculations, we’ve only got 7 minutes and 16 seconds ’til the comet enters our atmosphere!’ the kid said urgently.

  Kal’s skin turned an even more sickly shade of green. ‘Once the comet enters our atmosphere, we can’t stop it,’ she said helplessly. ‘We thought we had the perfect defence against rogue comets.’

  Kip remembered something. Does she mean the machine those kids were using to fire water bombs?

  ‘Your cannon?’ Kip guessed aloud. ‘That thing could blast a rogue comet to smithereens!’

  ‘That was our plan,’ Kal agreed. ‘We’ve been working on the Destroyer for months.’

 
The nearby Undergrounders fell silent. A pinkish blush crept over their green cheeks.

  ‘But there’s something wrong with it,’ Kal admitted. ‘We can’t get it to fire straight. Our best kids are working on it but getting nowhere.’

  Hope flickered in Kip’s chest. ‘Finbar’s got incredible wolf vision,’ he said. ‘And I topped Weapon Maintenance back in Space Scout training.’

  ‘Between us, we might be able to help,’ Finbar agreed.

  The Undergrounders leapt to their feet. Together with Kip and Finbar, they raced to the surface.

  Outside, the surface kids were playing as much as ever. Kip thought he spotted Ker swimming in the chocolate fountain.

  No-one was looking at the rogue comet, which looked even huger in the sky. Kip could see a red tail blazing behind it. The surface kids didn’t seem to notice that it was headed straight for them!

  Kip and the Undergrounders ran to the cannon on top of the hill. The area was deserted. Shredded water balloons lay all over the ground.

  ‘We made it exactly the same as Earth’s anti-comet cannons,’ Kal explained. ‘WorldCorp provided the design. We have a missile to fire at the comet when we’re ready. But the surface kids have been mucking around with water bombs, so we’ve hardly had time to practise. Our water expands and the other kids think it’s hilarious.’

  ‘Your water expands? That’s amazing!’ exclaimed Kip. ‘So that’s why the water bomb that came through the wormhole was so enormous!’

  The Destroyer - Anti-comet Cannon

  ‘In any case, none of us can get the aim right,’ Kal said.

  Finbar squinted at the gunsight. ‘Nothing wrong that I can see,’ he said.

  Kip looked into the gunsight too. With a simple turn of the cannon on its rotating base, he lined up the comet immediately. Someone loaded a missile into the machine. The target seemed impossible to miss.

  So what’s going wrong? he thought, staring around at the Undergrounders as he tried to crack the problem.

  The Undergrounders stared back at him, their three eyes wide with tension.