War on Whimsy Read Free Page B

pressed the button on the Telepathy Chef. Three trays slid out in quick succession, each containing a delicious-looking pizza.
    â€œHow did you do that?” asked Sean.
    â€œYou’ve just got to focus,” said Shimlara. “Now speaking of focusing, do you think we could focus on finding my family?”
    â€œSorry,” said everyone guiltily, as they all avoided one another’s eyes and helped themselves to slices of pizza.
    â€œHey!” said Sean suddenly, with his mouth full of pizza. “You know how you can read minds on Globagaskar?”
    â€œYes,” said Shimlara.
    The people of Globagaskar were able to read minds and project their voices into other people’s brains. Fortunately, it was considered bad manners to read someone else’s mind except in dire circumstances.
    â€œWell, why don’t you just read your mom or dad’s mind and find out where they are!” said Sean, obviously thrilled with his own genius.
    Shimlara rolled her eyes. “Do you think I wouldn’t have done that already if it was possible? You need to be able to see someone’s face before you can read their mind.”
    â€œJust a thought,” said Sean, deflated.
    Shimlara put the file she was holding on the table. “Everyone take a few clippings and see what you can find.”
    Nicola grabbed a handful and spread them out in front of her. She read:
    PLANET OF GROON BANS ALL FORMS OF SMILING
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    King of Groon speaks his mind: “What can I say? Smiles bug me.”
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    FLOODS ON PLANET OF ARTH
    Arth-Creatures may be extinct if nothing is done, states Environmental Czar.
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    VOLCOMANIA DECLARES WAR ON THE PLANET OF WHIMSY
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    â€œThe Planet of Whimsy must be taught a lesson!” thunders President Mania.
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    PLANET OF DUMPWOOD BANS REFUGEES FROM GROON
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    â€œIt’s not our problem they’re not allowed to smile on their stupid planet,” proclaims Prime Minister.
    Oh dear. There were so many planets that needed help. How could they possibly work out which one had taken Georgio and Mully’s interest?
    Nicola took another bite of her (perfect) pizza and the name Gorgioskio caught her eye on one of the clippings.
    She read quickly.
    LOCAL RESIDENTS FIGHT FOR GROON’S RIGHT TO SMILE!
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    Georgio and Mully Gorgioskio have started a new committee called SAVE THE SMILE ON GROON. They have sent a petition to the king of Groon. The king’s response was swift: “Mind your own beeswax.”
    â€œListen to this!” she went to say to the others, but Tyler got in first.
    â€œI’ve got it!” He began to read from one of the clippings. “ Intergalactic activists Georgio and Mully are at it again. This time they’re taking on the Planet of Finbat, where the government has decided to only allow workers a day off once every three years. ‘This is an absolute outrage,’ said Mully Gorgioskio. ‘We’ve started a committee called Help Finbat’s Overworked Workers. ’”
    Tyler looked up from his article. “Maybe their disappearance has got something to do with the government of Finbat.”
    â€œBut listen to this!” said Katie. “ This time those well-meaning Gorgioskios have gone too far.They have started a committee called Save the Arth-Creatures. Arth-Creatures are deadly, ugly, ill-mannered creatures that love nothing more than snacking on tasty humans. Yet the Gorgioskios are bent on saving them. ‘We should do everything in our power to stop the extinction of any species,’ bleated bleeding heart Mully Gorgioskio. This journalist’s humble opinion: Save the Arth-Creatures by feeding them two tasty morsels: Georgio and Mully Gorgioskio.”
    â€œThat’s an awful thing to say,” said Shimlara. Her face was pale. “You don’t think that journalist has—”
    â€œOf course not,” said Nicola. “The journalist was trying to be