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

until Brodie was safely –
    A light split the air behind me. I had been facing a hill, but now I turned around to see the rear of a spaceship opening a few feet above the ground. Obviously the Tagaar vessel had been here the whole time. Cloaked.
    Two figures strode down the ramp toward me. The first was Graal. I did not recognise the alien beside him.
    “You are here,” Graal said. “Good. I had my doubts whether you would escape The Agency in one piece.”
    “Where’s Brodie?”
    “All in good time.”
    “No! I will give you the weapon, but only if you release her!”
    Graal shook his head. “You misunderstand me, my young friend. I do not want the weapon.”
    “Then why –”
    “You will need the Stonekiller for your next assignment,” Graal said. “We will release your mate once your assignment is completed.”
    “But you promised –”
    “I gave no such promise.” The alien produced an object from his pouch. “However, as a sign of good faith, I will allow you to speak to the girl.”
    He pointed the object into the air. A square panel formed before us. I could see the interior of a cell. People were lying on the floor. They looked up.
    “Brodie!” I said.
    I stepped forward and my hand intersected with the image. It passed straight through. This was some sort of holographic projection. Brodie leapt to her feet.
    “Axel?” she said. “What is this? How are –”
    “Are you all right?” I asked.
    “I’m on a spaceship,” she said. “I’m in a cell –”
    The image faded and I found myself staring at Graal’s face. He looked pleased with himself. I wanted to kill him. I had never felt such rage in my life, yet I was able to force it down deep into my stomach.
    “Good,” Graal said. “I see your hatred. A warrior needs such emotions or he will not survive.”
    “Shut up!” A red haze of fury blurred my vision. “What must I do?”
    “You have no doubt heard of Alexi Kozlov?”
    I searched my memory. “The Russian Premier?”
    “He is to be your target.”
    “The leader of Russia?” I felt light-headed. “That’s insane.”
    “You will shoot him with the Stonekiller and return with him to this place. You will do these things or your mate will die.”
    I took an enraged step toward him.
    “Do not be foolish, boy,” Graal said. “Your mate will be returned if you follow my instructions. You have my promise. I will also promise to throw her out of an airlock into space if you refuse my instructions.”
    “How would I ever get close enough –”
    “I have already uploaded a map to your compass,” the alien said. “He was tagged with a non-invasive tracking device several days ago. You will track him using the device.”
    “But it’s the Russian Premier!” I blurted. “How will I –”
    “You will do what is required,” Graal said.
    I stood in the cold desert for several seconds, consumed by desperation and hatred and fear. My hands were clenched so tightly I could feel my fingernails cutting into the palms of my hands. Finally I crossed a barrier. A point of no-return. I would not let Brodie down. I could not let her die.
    “And once I do this –”
    “Your mate will be returned.”
    “Why don’t you kill him yourself?” I asked. “If you were able to place a tracker –”
    “That is not our way,” Graal said. “A countdown has been activated on your compass. You have two of your Earth days. We will meet here again when the countdown reaches zero.” He paused. “And we will bring your mate.”
    “Her name is Brodie,” I said.
    Graal responded by ignoring me and turning away. He disappeared up into the ship. The ramp slid away into nothingness and a moment later I heard the engines of the spaceship burst into life. Wind rushed against my face as the invisible vessel lifted off the ground. I saw a faint shimmer distort the sea of stars as it raced across the sky.
    I stood in the silent desert, cold and alone. I could get Brodie back, but I would have to