Free Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford Page A

needed to get back and she wouldn’t let a stupid space pirate stop her.
    â€œYou’re not trying to escape, are you?”
    Sarah turned around and pushed on Mick’s forehead with her finger.
    â€œBingo.”
    She whirled back around and kept walking until she reached the rear door of the ship. All she needed was her helmet and she would be ready to leave.
    â€œCracken!” she shouted. “Where’s my—”
    When she looked behind her she saw Mick holding her helmet. He offered it to her.
    â€œHere,” he said.
    Sarah played it very cool as she tried to make sense of Mick’s sudden helpfulness. She eyed him suspiciously and snatched back her helmet even though Mick didn’t try to keep it from her. All she had to do was open the cargo door and she would be on her way back to Jacob and Dexter.
    â€œYou’re not going to try and stop me?” she asked.
    Mick stared down at his space boots. “I don’t want to keep anyone here against their will. Especially not a friend.”
    â€œI’m not your friend,” Sarah said, although she hesitated in front of the cargo door. She stared at the large red button and wondered if there was a force field around it that was preventing her from doing the sensible thing and pushing it. It was as if the Dragon’s Eye was using its magical powers to hold her back.
    Mick still had a mournful expression on his face, but Sarah thought she saw a new glint in his eye. “You know, the Dragon’s Eye is still out there, just waiting to be stolen ...”
    Sarah’s hand hovered over the red button even longer. It seemed like he was reading her mind. Even if she did escape with Lucy, she had no way of knowing how to get around the space kapow. The Dragon’s Eye might be her ticket home. She imagined herself placing her hands on the diamond and wishing them all back to Earth, and if they found out Earth was gone she could use the Dragon’s Eye to save the entire world. She knew full well what a strong and determined girl could accomplish on her own. All she needed was the opportunity to show them all.
    â€œAnd why should I believe you’ll help me?” Sarah asked.
    â€œYou think I’d risk breaking a promise I made to you?” “You’d better not.” “I wouldn’t.”
    â€œBecause I would break you into a million pieces and they’d never even find the pieces because I’d scatter them around the galaxy in a thousand different places so you could never, ever be put back together.”

    Mick cleared his throat. “Buccaneer’s honor.”
    She had to try to save her family back on Earth. Jacob and Dexter had each other. They would be fine.
    Sarah slammed her hand on the big red button on the cargo door control panel and looked out the window. The ropes that were holding Lucy slipped away. She was free.
    Sarah wouldn’t be joining her. She had a big wishgranting diamond to steal. She would show Jacob and Dexter who should be in charge.
    â€œLet’s go get it,” Sarah said.

CHAPTER 16
    Mayday! Mayday!” Dexter shouted. “Maaaydaaay!!”
    â€œNo one can hear us. You don’t have to yell.”
    â€œThey invented that word for a reason! It means, ‘Please please please for the love of God someone rescue me!’ Maaydaay!!”
    Jacob and Dexter had been floating aimlessly in space for just a few moments when the pod’s rocket boosters flared and began propelling them at a rapid speed through the galaxy. They had taken turns staring out the window at the stars and planets racing by, but the pod showed no signs of stopping.
    The escape pod was only about eight feet in diameter, and was sparsely furnished, with only a few cabinets full of meager supplies, including water and some pastries, a couple of flashlights, a makeup kit, and a portable pink porcelain tea set. Jacob stared at the instrument panel, which didn’t seem