Deadly Mission Read Free Page A

spun the thermo-dial to cool the ship, and an icy blast of air surrounded them. But their teeth barely had time tochatter before their Expedition Wear turned red and started to warm them up.
    â€œYou see, not a problem,” Peri stated. “I love this ship.”
    The vessel ahead of them entered the space-highway ramp, and the
Phoenix
glided to a stop behind a barricade of pulsing red light. An announcement from the toll taker interrupted him: “Prepare to be inspected. Approach slowly.”

    The Nav-wheel was slippery with ice, butPeri guided the
Phoenix
toward the striped guard pod with expert skill.
    Durrr-ing!
The com-screen rose from the console and flashed into life. A Xion appeared. He wore a bright-blue uniform, braided with pink, and a scarlet cap.
    â€œThis is Toll Taker Xerallon.” A beam of purple light pulsed through the bridge. “The following fines have been added to your toll: crossing the Cos-Moat without permission, not using proper drawbridge protocol, and endangering local wildlife. State your name and your reasons for visiting Xion.”
    Peri gulped. He could have kicked himself. He should have thought of a cover story. “I … I …,” he spluttered.
    â€œPeace in Space, Toll Taker Xerallon,” Diesel said. “We apologize for our rude behavior. We’re astro-nomads. We need extra fuel as well as repairs to ourNav-system. My pilot is quite useless without a navigation computer telling him where to go. Last week, he almost flew us into a moon. We were lucky to crash into your lovely Cos-Moat.”
    The screen was icing up, but Peri could see the toll taker nod. “Your ship’s certainly a relic from a technology-stunted solar system. I’m surprised that junk can fly.”
    Peri wanted to glare at the toll taker. His ship wasn’t junk. His parents had helped make the
Phoenix
better than anything in the universe. But arguing would only endanger the mission, so he kept quiet.
    â€œYes, you’re right, of course,” Diesel told the guard. “It’s almost embarrassing to fly—practically useless.”
    Peri was impressed. Diesel was cool under pressure. It must have been hisupbringing as the emperor’s son—he knew exactly how to deal with the toll taker.
    â€œAccess granted,” said the toll taker. “Please beam over payment.”
    â€œPayment?” Peri whispered to Diesel. “What are we … ?”
    â€œCertainly, officer,” said Diesel, cutting Peri off. “How would you like your payment?”
    â€œOur scanners have already picked items of value.”
    Peri held his breath, worried about what the Xions wanted to take. White ice crystals had formed over the screen. When he scraped them away and saw the InfoBox, he almost laughed.
    IDENTIFIED : plastic storage devices and rich organic fertilizer.
    â€œPeri,” Diesel whispered. “What’s ‘rich organic fertilizer’?”
    â€œUmm …” Peri paused. “I think they want plastic recycling bins and the contents of our space-toilets.”
    Diesel’s band of hair went limp and turned green. He cupped a hand over his mouth. “You mean … they want our … ? Yuck!”
    â€œThank you, officer,” Peri told the toll taker. “Beam away.”
    A light flashed to confirm the toll had been taken, and the barrier blocking the ramp onto the space highway vanished. On the com-screen Peri noticed another uniformed toll taker rush into the booth. The official whispered something into the other toll taker’s ear. Both glared at the
Phoenix
.
    This can’t be good
, thought Peri. Heactivated the main engines. “Let’s get out of here,” Peri shouted to Diesel as he roared the
Phoenix
down the nearest lane of the space highway.

Chapter 4
    The silver-and-purple astrophalt shimmered as the space highway twisted and stretched around the orange-and-blue planet below. If it