Pirate Ambush Read Free Page B

creed in unison: ‘I swear to honour and uphold the laws of the Intergalactic Force. I promise to lay down my life to protect our planets and citizens from greed, corruption and enemies. With every breath in my body, I pledge my loyalty to –’
    ‘– the emperor,’ said Peri, just as Diesel boomed, ‘– my father.’
    General Pegg beamed at them. ‘You’re now members of the most elite peacekeeping force in the universe!’
    Instantly the room erupted into loud cheers of ‘Peace in space’.
    Diesel’s hair had turned royal purple with pride.
    ‘We did it!’ Peri exclaimed as he high-fived Diesel.
    As the cheers died down, the general beckoned them closer. He leaned down, speaking quietly. ‘I must admit, I wish you could train for longer. And, to be honest, I’m not completely convinced that you are mature enough to be Star Fighters. But you did a remarkable job in the Ubi galaxy. And, well, we have an urgent mission for you – so what choice is there?’
    General Pegg handed what looked like a Martian toadstool to Peri. The flat-dome top was green and covered in red dots. There was a ring of flashing blue lights around the rim. Under the dome, the grey stalk was lined with computer slots. Peri stared at it, wondering what it was.
    ‘It’s your Mission Capsule. You plug it into the Phoenix and it will brief you on your mission,’ the general explained, then he turned and addressed the entire crowd. ‘Peri and Diesel’s first mission will be to capture a notorious pirate.’
    Space pirates! Peri couldn’t believe his luck. What an exciting mission! He turned the Mission Capsule over in his hand. Everything he needed to know about his first official Star Fighter mission was inside. He couldn’t wait to get started!
    ‘Keep your Mission Capsule plugged in at all times,’ said General Pegg. ‘It will observe your progress and report back to me. No more time to celebrate, I’m afraid. Go – you have a difficult task ahead. Time is of the essence!’
    Peri turned to collect Diesel, but he had vanished! Maybe he had already returned to the Phoenix , eager to get going on their first mission.
    Peri raced out of the Command Centre, trying not to grin too foolishly as he thought, I’m a real Star Fighter now!

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Sirens blared as Peri raced down the base-ship’s corridors, heading back towards the Phoenix . Now he had their Mission Capsule there was no time to waste!
    He tore around a corner and spotted Diesel arguing with his father, the emperor. Peri skidded to a halt and darted behind the open access panel to one of the service tunnels. Luckily they were too busy arguing to notice him.
    Peri peered around the edge of the panel. Diesel was shaking his head. The emperor loomed over him, his grey-streaked band of purple hair bristling.
    ‘Take it,’ the emperor shouted. ‘You’re still my son.’
    Diesel reached out for something in the emperor’s hand. As soon as Peri saw it, he knew what it was – another Mission Capsule! Diesel stuffed it into his pocket. He was clearly unhappy about it.
     

     
    Why is the emperor giving Diesel a Mission Capsule? Peri wondered.
    Before they could discover him, Peri slipped down the service tunnel and out into the launch bay. He ran up the ramp into the Phoenix . As he raced down towards the Bridge, the ship’s mechanical arms stretched from the walls and lifted him into shrink-to-fit Expedition Wear, then reattached his titanium Star Fighter badge before letting him go.
    Peri stepped on to the Bridge. His parents had left it spotless. There wasn’t a loose wire or circuit board in sight.
    Soon Selene and Otto joined them on the Bridge.
    ‘Nice badges, guys!’ Selene said, grinning at Peri and Diesel as she took her place. ‘We saw it all on the com-screen!’
    ‘Thanks,’ said Peri, unable to keep the smile off his own face. Even the Meigwor bounty hunter was almost smiling, although he was clearly trying not to show it.
    ‘I knew I’d