Diggers: The Sharp Edge of the Universe Read Free

connected to form the space station. As they walked through the glass corridors, everyone could see into the inky galaxy, but no one, not even Finn, glanced at the planet they orbited. They were all too excited for their day of fun.
    Twenty minutes later, the mass of Diggers pushed through the ticket line and headed in every direction. The amusement park ran a close second on Finn’s list of cool places on Vortex , but the Science Lab always held first prize.
    “There's Mach 1.” His mouth dropped open, and Finn stared upward at the goliath of all roller coasters on Vortex .
    Reggie began to violently shake his head. “Not doing it.”
    “Come on!” Finn yanked Reggie toward the line.
    The moment the Diggers showed up, the smaller kids left. Usually, it bothered Finn when the other kids shying away from them, but not today. The thinned-out line meant it only took two runs before he and Reggie were suited up and ready for their turn. Sliding into the two-person pod, they strapped in.
    Finn could barely contain his excitement when ELAINA started to speak. “Please keep all heads, hands, feet, flippers, tentacles, and other extremities inside the roller coaster pod at all times to avoid possible loss of limbs or heads. All exoskeleton beings require an upgraded compression suit. Please make sure that every head you possess has a helmet securely strapped onto it.”
    ELAINA's warnings lasted another three minutes, but Finn didn't bother to listen. He ignored Reggie whimpering next to him as he waited for the countdown.
    “Countdown commencing,” ELAINA’s smooth voice announced at the end of her long list of warnings. “Ten. Nine. Eight….”
    Reggie squeezed his eyes shut and gripped the safety bar. Finn elbowed him, but he wouldn’t look. This was Finn’s favorite part of the ride—the ten seconds sitting in the starting zone, the highest spot in the entire amusement park. Well, technically, the top of the coaster rose higher, but they’d be going way too fast to see anything up there.
    The people below looked like bugs and he could see every single ride. The water park at the other end of the amusement park bustled with people, and a long line snaked out the door for the old-fashioned movie theatre with the big, flat screen.
    “…Two, One. Ignition,” ELAINA cooed.
    “Nnnnoooo!” Reggie screamed as the coaster blasted fifteen stories straight up. As the coaster took a hairpin turn and started its windy decent, Reggie’s screams became lost somewhere behind them.
    Finn held on and might have screamed, but he didn’t know for sure. The compression suit did its job—when he remembered to breathe. They weaved and swirled up and up, then down and down. He couldn’t tell if Reggie was still conscious. It would be the first time Reggie hadn’t passed out.
    “Thank you for riding the Mach 1.” ELAINA’s voice marked the end of thirty-three seconds of pure adrenaline rush. “Please come back soon.”
    Finn had to shove Reggie back, unstrap him, and drag him out of the seat before his friend finally started to come around.
    “Not doing it again,” Reggie said when he could finally form words.
    “Come on, Reg!” Finn pulled him to his feet. “Let’s find something to eat.”
    Reggie’s face had turned an oozing shade of green, and he didn’t seem too excited about food, but he followed Finn to the snack area anyway.
    They sat under the fake sun and ate a double scoop of real ice cream each, so far, a good birthday.
    “What are you nasty Diggers doing over here?” A massive, round boy wearing the green uniform of the arboretum and greenhouse caretakers, stood in front of them. One fat hand resting on his round belly, the boy stared at Finn and Reggie.
    “Eating,” Reggie said.
    Finn stifled a laugh.
    “Oh, you think your friend is funny?” the boy said. “You both know we don’t want your kind around here.” The boy waved his hand around to indicate all the other tables.
    A few people nodded.