Pirate Ambush Read Free

only be used as an absolute last resort. You don’t need to know what it does. Your bionic connection will sense if you need to use it.’
    ‘So why did you ask me to come up here?’ Peri asked.
    ‘Because,’ his mother replied, ruffling his hair, ‘it’s your turn for an upgrade.’
    Peri’s stomach buzzed with fear. ‘Upgrade?’
    ‘We know what we’re doing, Peri,’ his father said. ‘We did create your bionic circuits! We just need to check you over. We’ve learned a lot from your first trip out with the Phoenix and we’ve got some improvements to your bionic abilities.’
    ‘We’ll deactivate all your pain protocols,’ his mother said. ‘You won’t feel a thing.’
    Looking around the Bridge, Peri couldn’t help worrying what having an upgrade might involve, but he trusted his parents. He nodded.
    ‘ Phoenix ,’ his father ordered, ‘activate Experiment Tune-up Protocol.’
    Peri braced himself as the ship’s robotic arms swept down from the ceiling and picked him up.
    Shhhhuuupt! A black-cushioned table slid out from underneath the 360-monitor and the Phoenix rested him on it. Instantly thick straps flew around him and pinned him to the table.
    Peri wrestled against the restraints. ‘What on Neptune are you doing?’
    ‘Relax,’ his mother said, rushing to Peri’s side. She stroked his head. ‘This is for your own safety, to keep you perfectly still.’
    Then his mother pushed a wire up his nose. There was a flash of burning pain. He closed his eyes. Ones and zeros raced through his mind. Computer code! Peri felt dizzy and detached from his body. His parents’ voices sounded far away – as if he wasn’t really in the room.
     

     
    ‘All upgrade protocols activated,’ his father said.
    Peri could feel his connection with the Phoenix strengthen. His thoughts seemed to leave his body and flood into the ship’s computer. His mind stumbled through blueprints and computer logs. Suddenly, he saw a black-and-white image of the Bridge. He was peering at it through the ship’s security cameras. He could see his own body lying on the table. His parents were removing components and circuits along his arms, legs and chest. They were replacing them with new, smaller ones.
    His parents moved on to his head, using a flesh-healing nano-beam to repair his skin as they went.
    ‘Peri.’ His mother looked at the Phoenix ’s Bridge camera. ‘We need you back inside your body for the last bit of the upgrade.’
    Peri moved his thoughts back into his body. His limbs were still numb, but he could see again. He blinked, hoping his parents were almost done.
    ‘Good,’ his father said. ‘You’ve just tested your tri-quad-quantum connection with the Phoenix . Now, tell us about the bionic abilities you’ve already discovered.’
    Peri thought back over his adventures. ‘Um . . . the Fight-or-Flight response?’
    His mother nodded. ‘Good! Fight-or-Flight gives you temporary superhuman strength and speed.’
    His father tapped his computer pad. ‘We’ve increased those superhuman abilities by a hundred and ninety-four per cent, and we’ve improved your capacity to self-generate energy. You’re much more efficient now. No more battery problems!’
    ‘You still need to eat properly and get plenty of sleep,’ his mother added. ‘You are only part bionic. Your human side needs looking after too. It wouldn’t hurt to eat some vegetables. I’ve seen your food-log – too much space-cream.’
    ‘What food-log?’ Peri asked.
    His mother tutted. ‘Your bionic systems record everything you eat.’
    Peri scowled. I’ve been betrayed by my own bionic body!
    ‘Give Peri a break,’ his father said. ‘His circuitry is the most sophisticated technology available. It can handle a little treat –’
    The lights on the Bridge flashed as an announcement rang out. ‘General Pegg orders Peri and Diesel to the Command Centre within the next ten minutes . Nine minutes and fifty-eight seconds