Free The Battle for Earth (Teen Superheroes Book 3) by Darrell Pitt

about the ship’s modifications. Ferdy has read the schematics of the changes and understands them completely.”
    “But if something goes wrong –”
    “Ferdy has calculated the problems that could arise,” Ferdy said. “The most likely error would be an explosion that would kill us instantly –”
    “Oh great.”
    “– although we could survive in the vacuum of space for possibly another ninety seconds –”
    “Wonderful.”
    “– but our friends would do the same for us.” He stared into her eyes. “Ralph Waldo Emerson said that ‘a friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.’ Do Ebony and Dan not agree with this sentiment?”
    Dan said nothing. He seemed stunned by the rapid turn of events. Ebony could not think of another plan. She leaned back in the seat. “Lead the way.”
    Ferdy nodded. The Flex Fighter rose higher into the atmosphere. Ebony watched as the sky above turned darker until it was indigo and then finally black. The earth spread below them like a blanket. She found herself staring at the awe-inspiring spectacle in astonishment.
    “It’s so beautiful,” Ebony said.
    “I’m getting an impression.” Dan rubbed his head. “She is somewhere ahead of us.”
    “Can Dan be more specific?” Ferdy asked. “Most of the Milky Way galaxy is ahead of us.”
    Dan shook his head. “All is know is we’re heading in the right direction.”
    Ferdy manipulated the controls on the console. After a moment, Ebony felt the Flex gently accelerate.
    “Ferdy has found it,” Ferdy said.
    “What has Ferdy –” Ebony stopped. “I mean, what have you found?”
    “A spaceship,” he replied. “It is some two miles in length. Ferdy believes that Brodie is aboard the ship.”
    Peering through the window, Ebony saw a sharp speck of light above the blue horizon ahead of them. It grew larger with every second. The shape of it reminded her of the body of a cockroach; a smaller section dominated one end. Behind it lay two segmented compartments.
    “It sure isn’t the International Space Station,” Ebony said.
    “Can’t anyone see that thing from the Earth?” Dan asked.
    “The ship is using stealth technology to hide it from ground radar,” Ferdy said. “It is quite advanced, although not as advanced as the alien technology contained within The Agency’s computer systems.”
    “Uh,” Ebony said. “Surely that’s top secret.”
    “It is.” He smiled. “Ferdy circumvents the security protocols to access the information.”
    “You hack The Agency computers?”
    “Hacking is another definition for the same process,” Ferdy said. “A zectometer is one of the smallest units of measurement.”
    “You’re not changing the subject, are you, Ferdy?”
    “Ferdy would not do that.” Ferdy smiled. “The largest mammal on Earth –”
    The Flex Fighter shuddered as a high-pitched whine emanated from the engines.
    “What’s happening?” Dan asked.
    “We are caught in a tractor beam,” Ferdy said. “The alien spaceship is drawing us toward it.”
    “They can see us?”
    “The alien vessel is cloaked. Our vessel is visible to their systems.”
    “Did you know this?” Ebony asked.
    “Ferdy knew,” he confirmed. “Should Ferdy have acted on that information?”
    “Should Ferdy have –” Ebony fell back speechless in her seat. “It might have been a good idea.”
    “We will meet aliens,” Ferdy said. “Possibly we will have fun.”
    “Possibly,” Ebony said. “But it’s not likely.”
     

Chapter Fifteen
    The desert had turned cold by the time I arrived at the rendezvous point to meet Graal. The sky above was inky black broken only by tiny pinpoints of light. It reminded me of a similar evening when Brodie and I had flown out to the desert to enjoy the stars.
    A lump gathered in my throat. What if I never saw Brodie again? What if she was already dead? I had the Stonekiller secured in its case in a small pack strapped securely to my back. I would not hand it over