Free Polar Meltdown by J. Burchett Page B

pollution from the drilling will add to the problems that global warming is already causing for the animals there. I’m going to investigate.”
    â€œYou’ll be needing my latest invention, of course,” said Uncle Stephen, proudly pulling out a small crate from under a workstation and rummaging around inside. “I’m very excited about my RAT.”
    With a flourish, their godfather pulled out two streamlined snowboards with micro-sized engines at the back. They were about half the size of a normal skateboard and folded in half for packing. The children had never seen anything like them.
    â€œThe RAT,” he explained. “The Rapid Arctic Traveller. I’ve made them from a special ultra-bonded polyurethane I’ve developed. They’re so strong an elephant could use them – if it could get its feet in the footholds. And the beauty is they’re made entirely from recycled materials.”
    He placed one on the ground and stood on it, kicking the engine into life with his heel.
    â€œDr Fisher!” warned Erika. “Remember what happened last time you tried it out.”
    â€œI thought I’d be safe in the corridor,” protested Uncle Stephen, as the RAT wobbled dangerously. “I didn’t know that James was about to come out of the staff restaurant with a tray of yoghurts.”

    â€œI wish I’d seen that!” said Ben.
    â€œI rather resembled a milkshake afterwards,” admitted their godfather, reluctantly stepping off the RAT.
    â€œIt’s just like skateboarding,” said Erika. “And I know you two are experts at that. The RAT power-glides across the snow. It’s very flexible and copes with bumpy terrain. The engine runs on batteries, solar powered of course, and it will keep going for forty-eight hours without a boost.”
    â€œAwesome!” gasped Ben.
    â€œI can’t wait to try it out,” exclaimed Zoe, taking one in her hands. “It’s so light.”
    â€œAnd now for the rest of your equipment,” said Erika. “You’ll be needing your BUGs and suitable clothing.” She opened a drawer and handed them two small devices. The BUGs, short for Brilliant Undercover Gizmos, looked like handheld games consoles to anyone who didn’t know. They were, in fact, sophisticated machines that did a whole range of things from satellite mapping to animal tracking.
    â€œI wouldn’t want to go without this,” said Ben, scrolling through the menu.
    Uncle Stephen chuckled. “Don’t forget to pack your long johns – they’ll be just as vital as your BUGs on this chilly mission.”
    Erika led Ben and Zoe over to the stockroom.
    The Wild stockroom was an Aladdin’s cave of marvellous technological devices, clothes for every possible climate, and various half-finished inventions of Uncle Stephen’s, full of wires and springs.
    Erika pulled two backpacks off a shelf. “I’ve already put a tent in one of these,” she told them. “And your ultra-light thermal sleeping bags.” She then took two baby bottles and some powdered milk from a wall cupboard.
    â€œThis is specially formulated to match the rich milk of a polar bear mother,” she said. “Now pass those white bundles, please, Zoe.”
    â€œWhat are they?” asked Zoe, pulling two furry fleeces out of a box.
    â€œSlings,” said Uncle Stephen, appearing in the doorway. “When you find the cubs you’ll need something to carry them in.
    They’ll be about the size of large cats by now. The fur will make them think you’re their mother. We don’t want them to get used to humans.”
    The children stashed the slings in their backpacks, and Dr Fisher showed them the special side pockets that kept the folded RATs hidden from view. Erika made two piles of clothes for them to take.
    â€œLooks as if Erika’s getting you to pack everything but the kitchen sink!”