Free Kingdom Keepers V (9781423153429) by Ridley Pearson Page A

2.0,” Philby continued, “there’s no way to tell the difference. No more blue line. We can allow ourselves to touch, or be touched. What if we just go aboard as DHIs?”
    â€œA nice solution if your DHIs weren’t already part of the plan, part of the canal inaugural.”
    â€œWhat inaugural? What’s going on?” a volunteer asked.
    â€œA fair question,” Wayne said. “A new, larger set of locks on the Panama Canal is to be opened to commercial traffic. Many companies bid for the right to be the first ship through the locks—a terrific publicity opportunity, and one for the history books. Disney was awarded the prize, most likely because of our representing family and family values. And,”—he winked—“because we bid more than the others.” Everyone laughed. “The Dream , the first of a new class of Disney Cruise Line ships, is to make the inaugural voyage, Cape Canaveral to Los Angeles. At the same time, the DHI next-generation entertainment is to be rolled out on all the cruise ships. The company has combined the two events: the debut of Disney Hosts Interactive on the cruise line with the first ship to pass through the new locks. More bang for the buck.”
    â€œLet’s hope not,” Willa said.
    A nervous chuckle rippled through the room.
    â€œWanda is working on Taser-proof undergarments.” Another rush of snickering. Wanda Alcott, Wayne’s daughter, had come to their aid before. “Kind of like a space-age chain mail. A grounding device that dissipates the electrical charge. Necessary for you because your DHIs will be on board the ship at the same time you are.”
    â€œBut if at night we could find safe places to sleep…when our DHIs were thought to be down,” Philby said, unwilling to take no for an answer. “We could be out there and relatively safe from attack.”
    â€œNo question,” Wayne said. “The protection is critical, however. While you are asleep you will be at your most vulnerable.”
    â€œI can work on that,” Philby said.
    â€œCan I ask a question?” A volunteer had his hand raised. Kenny Carlson, a freckled redhead who, at six feet one, could have used twenty pounds. Ninth grade was an unfair time of life.
    Wayne nodded.
    â€œExactly where do we fit into all this?” Kenny asked. He indicated the other volunteers.
    â€œI’m glad you asked that, Mr. Carlson,” Wayne said.
    Kenny looked like he’d been slapped. Wayne knew his name. Wayne had done his homework. Clearly, a volunteer wasn’t allowed into the Keepers without a background check.
    â€œFirst, we need a team at the Base. We cannot simply abandon that battle. While a possible diversion, the Base’s role in the parks is too critical to be ignored. We are in the process of moving significant equipment during daylight hours to reduce our losses if we should lose the Base—but at the same time, we are aware this might be what they want: for us to spread our servers out and make it easier for them to steal them. It’s a shell game.”
    â€œAnd second?” Kenny said.
    â€œIt’s my intention to put as many of you as possible aboard the Dream . This will be more difficult than it sounds and will involve an intense orientation to accomplish. Once on board, you will be a resource for the Keepers to draw upon.”
    â€œCool,” Kenny said. “I’m down with that.”
    â€œDitto!” said someone else in the group.
    â€œI wouldn’t get my hopes up,” Wayne said. “Both options come with risk.”
    â€œI think we knew that going in,” Kenny said.
    â€œIf I could have a few minutes with the Keepers alone,” Wayne said. “Amanda and Jess, please stay as well.”
    â€œWe’ll meet you outside,” Finn said.
    The six volunteers left. Wayne and the Keepers clustered tightly around a table. He kept his voice to a