Space Runners #3 Read online

  Benny nodded. “Then we should see who all wants to go back to Earth.”

  “Dunzo,” a voice said from behind them.

  Benny turned to find Hot Dog. Pinky paced the air in front of her as a one-foot-tall hologram.

  “Um, should I ask why you’re tiny?” Benny said as they approached. “Or . . . Actually, yeah: Why are you tiny?”

  “I’ve sent the rest of my nanoprojectors throughout the ship to give us a working map of the vessel,” the AI explained with a satisfied smirk. “I’ll copy it to your HoloTek as soon as I’m done compiling data.”

  “Oh, nice,” Benny said.

  Hot Dog made her way up to the star map. “Wait, we’ve passed Mars already?” she asked, her blue eyes wide. “This is like a superfast ship right outta my dreams. We must be going a bajillion miles an hour.”

  “That’s hardly scientific,” Pinky chimed in, her voice coming from the speakers in their space suit collars. She disappeared for a split second before reappearing atop the floating hologram of Mars on the map. “But don’t worry. I’m keeping excellent records of the vessel’s capabilities as far as I can extrapolate them.”

  “So, let’s focus on evacuating the EW-SCABers who want to leave,” Ricardo said. “Does ‘dunzo’ mean you have an idea of many people we’re talking about?”

  “While Benny and the commander were having their meeting, we took a survey,” Pinky said. “A little over half of the EW-SCABers would like to go home. Fifty-six of them to be exact.”

  “Basically the same people who went underground instead of flying out to the asteroid storm,” Hot Dog added. “Plus a few more.”

  “Okay,” Benny said. “So, if we do three to a Space Runner, that’s what, like . . . Some math . . .” He trailed off.

  “The McGuyvers have already set aside vehicles they’re sure can make the trip,” Pinky said. “We’ll be in a bit of a short supply once they leave, but we’ll still have a few dozen SRs and prototypes left.”

  “It’s a long ride in a Space Runner,” Ricardo said, frowning. “We can port Pinky into the guidance systems and autopilot the whole way. But even traveling at top speeds, it’ll be over a day back to Earth.”

  “They could stop off at the Taj,” Pinky suggested. “Now that we know the humans have won, they’d be safe there. Senator Lincoln said he intended to ship all of you back to Earth anyway.”

  Benny bounced on his feet. “I don’t know. He may not be too happy that we ran off with the Maraudi.”

  “Not to mention his son,” Hot Dog said. Then she scrunched her nose up. “Actually, from what I’ve seen and heard, that might not be his biggest concern.”

  “I can assign a few of my crew to tail your crafts until your people close in on the Moon,” Vala said. “In case you’d like extra protection.”

  Hot Dog pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow. Ricardo glanced at Benny.

  “It wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Benny said, mulling this over. “Especially if they run into any of Tull’s fighters who might still be roaming around out there. I’m not sure how our caravan back to Earth would go about explaining everything going on from inside an SR.”

  He told himself again that they needed to trust each other if this was going to work. And, besides, surely the caravan could handle a few alien ships if something did go bad. Right?

  “Okay, then,” Ricardo said. “Thank you, commander.”

  Vala nodded. “It will be done.”

  Benny sighed. “Right. I guess I should go down to the hangar and let them know what’s what. Plus, I need to talk to Jazz and Ramona and Trevone about setting up a satellite or something for us.” He waved a hand at the group. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

  He was a few steps away from everyone before he realized he had no idea how to get to the hangar now that the hole to the garden was closed.

  “I’m coming!” Hot Dog said, rushing to his side. “I definitely got lost for five minutes trying to find my way back to the bridge earlier, but I can totally get you there.”

  “Thanks,” Benny said, following her lead.

  “Plus,” she whispered, looking over her shoulder at him, “I want to hear all about that little talk you just had.”

  She led him through a maze of rock hallways as he updated her on his brief conversation with Vala. Hot Dog listened, nodding occasionally as she peeked into open doorways they passed, investigating the alien rooms. When he was finished, she slowed down her stride, thinking about what he’d told her.

  “Okay,” she said finally. “So, we’ve got a lot going on. I can update the rest of the Pit Crew about everything. That’s one thing off your plate.”

  “You sure?” Benny asked.

  She flipped her blond curls. “I feel like I was yelling at them a lot back on the Moon, so this’ll be a nice change of pace.” And then she stopped suddenly and turned to him, so quickly that he almost ran into her. Hot Dog’s lips were drawn down in a slight frown, her eyes sharp and boring into him. “Do you trust Vala?”

  Benny, surprised by the sudden question, paused for a few seconds. Finally, he took a breath. “After Elijah and Dr. Bale and, I don’t know, the entire US government, I’m not sure I really trust anyone anymore. Other than you guys, I mean.” He shrugged. “But Vala seems like she’s being straightforward. I mean, you met Tull, too. So far the Alpha Maraudi have been pretty good about telling us exactly what they plan to do, even if that includes killing everyone on Earth.”

  This answer seemed to please Hot Dog. Her expression softened. “Good,” she said. Then, she shook her head. “I mean, good that you’re keeping your guard up and only mostly trusting them. Not the part about them destroying humanity, obviously.”

  “What do you think about all this?” he asked.

  Hot Dog bit her lip for a second, and then turned away from him, continuing down the hallway. “I think that three weeks ago I was hanging out on the streets of Dallas because I didn’t want to have to go home to our cramped apartment and listen to my parents yell at each other. And now I’m on an alien spaceship trying to save the world. I think we’re doing the best we can, even though this totally isn’t our fault. And I think that if we ever make it back to Earth, we deserve some serious rewards.”

  Benny laughed once. “Like what?”

  “A cutting-edge gaming system and a Space Runner of my own. For starters.”

  “Yeah? What color?”

  “I used to imagine cherry blossom pink with baby blue holo-stripes,” she said. “But Mustang red is really starting to grow on me. Plus, chrome accents would look way better with that.”

  “You’ve thought a lot about this.”

  Hot Dog let out a long sigh. “A girl’s gotta have a dream. Otherwise I’d go crazy trying to keep it together with all these unanswered questions and, you know, worlds hanging in the balance.” She perked up. “Oh! Speaking of questions, that reminds me: What’s with that red ball Vala’s always got up in her tentacles? Is it magic or something? A weapon? Or is it just a really hip alien accessory?”

  Benny shrugged. “I have no idea. Maybe it has something to do with her control of the ship? Or it’s a symbol that she’s in charge?”

  Hot Dog shook her head. “Priorities, Benny. You should always ask about the hair.”

  Ahead of them, the hallway opened up into the hangar. Benny could see the wing of one of the purple quartz-like alien ships that they’d faced off against several times in the last week.

  “Turns out they keep these entrances to the hangar open when nothing’s taking off or landing and the artificial environment’s on,” Hot Dog said. “Thankfully. I’m so over having to wear force field helmets.”

  When they’d boarded the ship, the hangar had been nothing but a vast, cavern-like room, mostly empty but for a handful of Maraudi spacecraft dotting the floor. Now, it was alive with action, people, and noise. The hundred EW-SCABers milled about among the dozens upon dozens of vehicles they’d brought up from the underground city below the Taj
—the Space Runners, Moon buggies, and retrofitted muscle cars that the McGuyver siblings had hidden away when trouble started up above. A few Alpha Maraudi stood silent against one wall. Voices bounced off the high ceiling of smooth, greenish stone, creating a wave of sound that Benny and Hot Dog walked into.

  It was a little overwhelming.

  “Everyone’s pretty up to speed thanks to Pinky’s note and the Pit Crew,” Hot Dog said, leaning against the alien ship beside them.

  Jasmine caught sight of the two of them and hurried over. Trevone, the second-oldest member of the Pit Crew, followed her.

  “We plotted a route that anyone who wants to leave can travel back to Earth,” Jasmine said. “It’s kind of the long way around, but it should be safe.”

  “On that note,” Trevone said, “I don’t know that we can send all those kids into space on their own. It’s a long way home. Dangerous. Asteroids, other Alpha Maraudi, even the human ships—this isn’t the same automated trip you took from Earth a few weeks ago.” He shook his head. “Plus, someone’s going to have to rally people on Earth and try to explain what we’re doing. Especially now that we’re out of contact.”

  “You think someone from the Pit Crew should go, too,” Benny said, realizing what Trevone was about to suggest.

  Trevone nodded across the hangar where Sahar stood dressed in a yellow space suit, handing out silver pouches of water to several of the new arrivals.

  “Sahar is still pretty banged up from being shot down. That girl is fierce, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get her to an actual hospital, even though Pinky’s scans checked her out. Afterward . . . Well, she may be quiet, but she can definitely get things done. And Kai . . .” He paused, his gaze moving to where Kai and Kira stood across the hangar. Kai leaned against his white Space Runner. Kira had a hand on his shoulder and appeared to be talking to him softly. “He’s pretty shaken up by all this,” Trevone continued. “After watching what happened to Sahar, he’s not really looking forward to getting into another battle. I think he’d be more useful back on Earth than here. Both of them.”

  “You think people will listen to them?” Benny asked.

  “Definitely. Especially since people know who they are. They’re part of Elijah West’s Pit Crew, and he’s still the most famous man in the galaxy. Plus, I think the other kids leaving would feel better with them around.”

  “Okay,” Benny said. Those were two great pilots they were losing, but he understood why, at least. And if he were heading out for a long trek through space, he’d probably want some of the Pit Crew to back him up, too. “That makes sense. If you think it’s the right decision, I’m all for it.”

  “How did things go with the commander?” Jasmine asked.

  “Good, I think,” Benny said. “Actually, this is great, because you, Trevone, and Ramona . . . Wait, where is Ramona?”

  “Oh,” Hot Dog said, scanning the rows of cars. “She found a case of energy drinks earlier and I’m pretty sure she locked herself in an SR with them so no one else could take any.”

  Before Benny could respond, Drue was breaking into their circle.

  “’Bout time you showed,” he said. “I know what you’re wondering, and, yes, the McGuyvers brought the Star Runners up here with them. Everything is right in the universe.” He flashed a big grin.

  Hot Dog rolled her eyes. “How is that your main priority?”

  “Uh, it’s a lot easier to worry about whether or not I’m going to get to drive a Star Runner again than if the planet’s going to be wiped out.” Drue raised his arms out at his sides. “How is that weird?”

  “In your dreams, kid,” a voice came from underneath the nearby Maraudi craft. Ash McGuyver, mechanic extraordinaire, scooted out from under the spaceship. “This place could really use some hover boards,” she muttered as she got to her feet, running her fingers through her short, magenta hair. Then she narrowed her eyes at Drue. “We may not be in my garage anymore, but those are still my babies. I’m not lettin’ you crash one into the side of whatever moon these ETs are taking us to.”

  “I’ve earned a few laps around Jupiter!” Drue said, crossing his arms. “I didn’t see you sneaking aboard an alien ship to save humanity.”

  “And I didn’t see you figuring out how to install an artificial environment system into a sports car twice as old as you. Deal with it.” Ash wiped her hands on her gray coveralls as she turned to Benny and nodded at the alien ship. “I’ll give these squids one thing, their ships are locked up tight. Can’t figure out how to get under the hoods. Or where the hoods are, even.”

  “I don’t think we ever thanked you for hiding all those vehicles underground,” Benny said. “That saved our butts.”

  “Don’t mention it,” Ash said. There was a glint in her eye. “Speaking of muscle cars, I brought up a little surprise.”

  She pointed across the hangar, where an electric-green Chevelle sat on four shiny black tires. Bo McGuyver leaned against the back of it. His eyes were fixed on the two Alpha Maraudi in the corner of the room, who stood silently observing everything around them.

  “The car we rescued Hot Dog in,” Benny said.

  Hot Dog sighed.

  “We didn’t rescue her,” Drue said. “We just . . . helped her get back faster.”

  Hot Dog looked a little surprised. “Thank you, Drue.”

  “You’re welcome.” He smirked. “Of course, you probably would have died and turned into a Moon zombie if you’d had to walk all the way back on your own.”

  “Drue,” Benny said.

  “Back to the Chevelle,” Ash went on. “We towed the beaut up here with a magnetic tractor beam. I couldn’t leave her behind. And, seeing as how you apparently aren’t bad behind her wheel, I figured she might come in handy.”

  “Amazing,” Benny said. “What about the other kids who want to leave? We have plenty of SRs?”

  “Yup. I’ve got them all moved to one side over there, ready to go. Bo and I’ve given them the once-over. They’re good to fly.” Ash paused for a moment. “I’m gonna miss that lug nut.”

  “What?” Benny asked.

  “He, uh,” Ash said, “isn’t too keen on hanging out with a bunch of aliens. I told him they probably had all kinds of tech we could look at but, well . . .” She leaned in closer to Benny, nodding toward her mountain of a brother. “He’s more sensitive than he looks.”

  Benny mulled this over. The McGuyver siblings were the best mechanics in the galaxy. Having both of them on board would definitely come in handy if they needed to modify their vehicles in any way. They’d already been a huge help to the Moon Platoon, hiding prototype models from the aliens and Dr. Bale and installing laser mounts on the Space Runners they’d used to stop the asteroid storm. But one of them was better than none, he supposed.

  “Plus,” Hot Dogs said, “with Bo going, there’s someone to do repairs if anything goes wrong.”

  “But nothing’s gonna go wrong, right?” someone asked from a few yards away.

  Benny tried to figure out who it might have been, but he was at a loss: a few dozen EW-SCABers nearby all seemed to be waiting for his response.

  Hot Dog poked Benny in the ribs. “I think that’s your cue.”

  “Ooo, is it speech time?” Drue asked. And then, before Benny could answer, he had his hands cupped around his mouth. “Hey! Dudes! Listen up! Our fearless Benny Love’s got something to say.”

  “Thanks,” Benny said dryly.

  Slowly, the noise from the rest of the hangar faded to a murmur. Benny was the focus of everyone’s attention. His palms started to sweat inside his gloves.

  “How ’bout you get where everyone can see you, kid,” Ash said. She pointed to the crystalline wing of the nearby Maraudi ship. With her help, he climbed on top and looked out at the hundreds of human eyes staring at him.

  “So,” he said. “Hi.”

  “Louder!” someone shouted from the back of the hangar.

  “Hi!” Benny said again. “Uh, so, I j
ust wanted to say that I know this has been a crazy couple of days. None of this was what we expected when we got our acceptance letters to come to the Taj. A lot of you want to head back home, which I understand. I miss Earth and my family, too. As soon as I’m done talking, we’ll get everyone who wants to go loaded into Space Runners. If you’re going back to Earth, remember you’re still one of us. Maybe there’s a way you can help out back at home.”

  He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd. A lot of people looked like they’d been crying. Some were grinning or had wide eyes full of wonder as they looked around the hangar. A few seemed like they were ready to punch the first person—or alien—who glanced at them the wrong way.

  Benny swallowed hard and continued. “Look, this has been horrible. I know that. Trust me. You’re scared. You’re mad. You’re confused. You’re also completely weirded out by the fact that you’re standing on an alien ship. I get it. I’m feeling all those things, too. We didn’t ask for any of this to happen, or to be in a spot where we’re trying to save our entire planet.” He took a deep breath and held his head higher. “But all that fear and anger can’t get in the way of the hope that we can figure this out. That we can protect everyone we know and love and keep an alien species from being destroyed. We’re not just fighting for the future of Earth here. We’re fighting to show that humanity deserves to survive. We’ll figure out a way to save our planet. Not only from the aliens but from anyone who wants to harm it. Elijah brought us all into space because he thought we were the best the planet had to offer. Well, I think we’ve already proven that to him. Now let’s prove it to the rest of the universe.”

  Below him, Drue raised a thumb into the air. “Come on, Moon Platoon!” he shouted. “What do you say?”

  The hangar filled with cheers echoing off the stone walls. Benny watched Kai and Kira Miyamura hug on the other side of the room. Ash gave him a wink. His friends beside him on the ground were all smiles.

  In that moment, despite the odds and every way things could go wrong, Benny truly believed that it was possible they could make all this work out in the end.