Free Swamp Race by H. I. Larry Page A

Voler was a strange old thief who lived in an enormous jet. He spent most of his time flying around stealing rare technology.
    Zac had met Voler once before, but the old man had escaped before Zac could arrest him.
    ‘So why is Voler giving away this free technology?’ Zac asked. ‘It sounds like a trap to me.’
    ‘I know,’ said Leon. ‘We think so, too. But it’s worth the risk if you can get your hands on those X-Beam blueprints.’
    ‘What is an X-Beam, anyway?’ Zac asked.
    ‘It’s kind of like an X-ray,’ said Leon. ‘But instead of looking through skin and bone, it lets you see through solid brick and metal. In theory, that is.’
    ‘What do you mean, in theory? ’ said Zac, raising his eyebrows.
    ‘Well,’ said Leon, ‘that’s what an X-Beam is supposed to do, but no-one’s ever come up with working blueprints before.’
    ‘Until now,’ said Zac.
    Leon nodded. ‘Which is why we need to make sure Voler’s blueprints don’t fall into the wrong hands. Imagine what would happen if BIG got hold of them!’
    BIG were the most ruthless spies in the business and GIB’s greatest enemies. It would be a disaster if BIG could make a working X-Beam!
    ‘So, what’s the plan for this mission?’ Zac asked, leaning on the workbench and glancing out the front window. The MTL was travelling along the open highway now.
    ‘Well, obviously we’re not going to send you out there unprotected,’ said Leon, picking up what looked like a metal T-shirt. ‘This is Electro-Armour, the latest in GIB personal safety gear. It should shield you from just about anything Voler can throw at you.’
    ‘Excellent,’ said Zac, grabbing the armour.
    ‘That panel on the front is electrically charged,’ said Leon, pointing at the chest. ‘It’ll zap anything that touches it.’
    Zac pulled off his shirt and carefully slipped on the Electro-Armour. While he did that, Leon turned to his bench and pushed a few buttons.
    ‘So that’s the plan?’ Zac said, putting his shirt back on over the top. ‘I just head out to the bush wearing a metal T-shirt, figure out how to get hold of the blueprints and – whoa! ’
    Zac was nearly thrown off his feet. For a moment he thought he had electrocuted himself with the Electro-Armour. But then he realised that the MTL had suddenly started hurtling forward, tearing down the highway at incredible speeds.
    ‘Leon!’ Zac shouted, steadying himself. ‘What’s going on?’
    ‘I’ve added a few upgrades to the MTL,’ said Leon. ‘Ready for take-off?’
    Zac stared at Leon. ‘Ready for what ?’
    Leon just grinned at him.
    Zac grabbed hold of the workbench at the front of the truck and stared out the window. Huge flat wings were unfolding from underneath the MTL.

    A second later, the van lifted off the ground and soared up into the dark night sky.
    ‘Well?’ said Leon, smirking. ‘What do you think?’
    ‘It’s awesome,’ said Zac. ‘But if you do something like that again without warning me, I’m going to switch on my Electro-Armour and give you a big hug.’

‘How much further?’ Zac asked, yawning. He stretched and sat up in his seat.
    The Mobile Technology Lab had been flying all night, and Zac could just see the sun starting to rise in the distance.
    ‘Almost there,’ said Leon. ‘We’re coming up to the drop-off point now.’
    A few minutes later, Leon landed the MTL at the edge of some bushland. ‘See that big rock over there?’ he said, pointing. ‘That’s where you’re supposed to wait. You’d better hurry, too. It’s almost time.’
    Zac nodded and climbed out of the van. As he watched, the MTL rumbled across the grass and took off into the air again.
    Zac walked through the bush and stopped at the rock where Leon had told him to wait. He checked the time.

    Voler had said to be here at 6.30 a.m. but so far Zac couldn’t see any sign of –

    Zac’s eyes darted upwards. Something big and heavy was crashing down through the trees above his head. Zac