Free The Incredible Space Raiders from Space! by Wesley King

another time I put an old herring into her boyfriend’s shoe for a few hours and then took it out just before he left, so he probably smelled like fish all day.
    Anyway, tell her I’m sorry. But still not her boyfriend. Did they break up yet?
    I don’t know if this space sadness is deadly, but if so, this may be my last letter. If that is the case, good-bye.
    Sincerely,
    Jonah
    Jonah did feel a little better. It was like he got to talk to someone who didn’t want to exile him or throw him into the brig. That was a nice change.
    However, he was still a bit lonely, and space kept rolling by his window. And so he was actually happy when there was a quiet knock at his door a few hours later.
    â€œHey,” Willona said, looking at the floor. She held out a food bar. “You dropped this.”
    â€œThanks,” Jonah replied. He was very hungry. “Is everything all right?”
    She glanced at him. “Yes. Well, no. Everyone thinks you’re a spy. Possibly a superspy, since no one saw you leave and steal the List. Even me. And I was with you.”
    â€œWho would I be spying for?” Jonah asked.
    She shrugged. “The crew. Maybe even the EETs.”
    â€œWhy would I spy for evil aliens that are trying to destroy the universe?”
    â€œWho knows?” Willona said. “Could be that they paid you off to infiltrate our ranks and sabotage our mission. For all we know, you are an EET. Well, I doubt that, since they’re supposedly, like, eight feet tall and have claws and sharp teeth, but it is one theory. I mean, how else could you have snuck out and stolen the List? It seems impossible.”
    â€œThat’s because I didn’t steal it,” Jonah said.
    â€œIt’s just a little suspicious,” Willona replied. “You know—the guards disappear, and then the List is stolen. They think it might be an inside job.”
    Jonah frowned. “Who’s ‘they’?”
    â€œBen.”
    â€œHe really doesn’t like me,” Jonah said. “Maybe I should talk to him.”
    â€œTo tell him you like his shoes?” Willona asked.
    Jonah hesitated. “I was going to say something nice.”
    Willona shook her head and walked into the room. “That doesn’t work, you nincompoop. I still like you, Jonah. I know that I would probably like a superspy, since they would be very smooth, and girls always like spies.”
    â€œThey do?” Jonah asked.
    â€œI heard that once,” Willona said. “But you seem so nice. And, you know, defenseless. No offense.”
    â€œNone taken,” Jonah muttered.
    Willona turned to face him. “But it’s hard, you know. This is my first career posting, and I don’t want to mess itup. I’m on the rise. And people might think I’m helping out a spy. That can’t be good.”
    Jonah nodded. He knew what was coming. He was sad, but he couldn’t blame her. She had her career to think about. “So you can’t be seen with me anymore.”
    She sighed. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Jonah said. “I understand.”
    â€œYou’re on brig duty,” Willona said. “The lieutenant wanted me to tell you. Usually no one starts without training, but since your first job is to release Martin, the only prisoner, you’re probably safe. I’ll still bring you messages, but that’s all. Sorry.”
    Jonah just nodded again. He actually felt like he might cry, but he held it back. He remembered what his mother said: Don’t cry in front of the person who hurt you.
    Willona was just leaving when she saw the journal and the pen on his cot. It was open to Jonah’s letter. She stared at it for a moment, then looked at Jonah.
    Without warning, she walked up to him and gave him a hug.
    â€œNo spy would get space sadness,” she whispered, and then she pulled back again. Her eyes were watering. “Forget my career.