Free Disruption by Steven Whibley Page A

such a way it actually looked like war paint; he looked absolutely murderous.
    I knew better, of course. He’d obviously been blasted by one of the mines.
    He gave me a careful up and down look as he neared, as if he were assessing my level of risk to him. On a scale of one to ten, if I were being really generous about myself, I’d be a risk factor two. And that would only be the case if I landed a couple lucky punches.
    Bratersky grunted something as he shoved past and disappeared through the shower doors. I wondered what position he’d been in to get splattered across the face like that, but maybe more importantly, how he had managed the challenge with only one hit.
    “Captain,” Rob said, pulling me back into the conversation, “all we’re asking is that you use us. And then tell people you used us.”
    They must’ve seen my confusion because Alexis added, “If you win, and people know we helped you, next year we’ll be picked for full Delta team members.”
    “Or at least we’ll have a better chance,” Rob added.
    Nothing at this place made any sense, and all I wanted to do was call Jason and pick his brain. He’d be able to help me figure it out. A couple hours on his computer and he’d probably know everything there was to know about this place. I cursed Chase for the fight on the bus. Because of him, my cell phone was useless.
    “A cell phone,” I said suddenly.
    Rob nodded. “They’re supposed to be turned in to the directors before camp. It’s not easy to find one here.”
    “But not impossible,” Alexis added.
    “So you can get one?” I asked.
    Rob nodded. “Some campers keep ’em despite the rules. We could find out who has one and get it for you.”
    I nodded. “Great. Do that. Consider it a test.”
    “Any team in particular you want it from?” Alexis asked.
    I smiled. “Yeah, Squirrel.”
    Rob smiled. “I thought you’d say that.”
    Clearly word had spread of my fight with Chase on the bus. I decided not to care.
    “We do this,” Alexis said, “and you’ll use us for real missions? And you’ll tell people that you used us?” Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer. I drew back. For a little girl, she was sure aggressive.
    “Get me a phone,” I said forcefully, “and I’ll think about it.”
    I turned again and started off toward the cabin. I expected more badgering, maybe one of them jumping on my ankle and throwing a fit, like any number of kids I’d seen who didn’t get their way, but after a dozen steps in silence, I glanced over my shoulder to see them heading in the opposite direction.
    They looked younger from this far, and guilt twisted my gut for taking advantage of such little kids. I really shouldn’t have asked them to steal. I decided to cancel that order the next time I saw them.
    There was something else that bothered me. They hadn’t been fazed by my request. It was like stealing from someone on another team was entirely expected. Rylee had said cheating was difficult, not that it wasn’t allowed; maybe the same went for stealing. I made a mental note not to leave anything valuable in my cabin.
     
     

Chapter 13
     
     
    My team was once again huddled on Yaakov’s bed when I walked into the cabin. Their heads snapped up just like they did before. I wasn’t covered in paint this time, but still they eyed me like I had a riddle written on my forehead. Then, one by one, starting with Angie, they smiled. Amara didn’t smile, but he looked undeniably happy.
    I glanced in the mirror by the door, thinking a few rogue splatters of paint must’ve survived my shower. My face was clean. I turned back to the group and started toward my bed. “What’s wrong with you guys?”
    “We’re impressed,” Juno said. “Very impressed.”
    “You did good,” Rylee added.
    I dumped my towel and toiletries on my bed. “Impressed with what? That I managed to get all the paint off me? Gee, thanks.”
    Angie smirked. “Humble, too. Not a quality I’ve ever