Free The Incredible Space Raiders from Space! by Wesley King Page A

I choose friends. Well, both. I still want a career. I’ll just make them like you again. I am the third most important greeter. I got the job for my charm.And because I can’t use a bonker. I’ll work on everyone else. Don’t worry, Jonah. I’m here for you. Even if it looks lonely from your window.”
    She hurried out of the room, and Jonah smiled and wiped his eyes, just to be sure. Still dry. His parents would be proud.
    Willona poked her head back into the room. “PS: You start right now.”

CHAPTER NINE
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    T HE CURRENT BRIG GUARD, A boy named Eric the Excellent, gave Jonah a wary look as he stepped away from the door. He didn’t seem to trust Jonah with the job.
    â€œSo I can let Martin out?” Jonah asked as Eric the Excellent slowly backed away, making sure to keep his eyes on Jonah while clutching his bonker.
    That seemed to be the new strategy for the Space Raiders. They couldn’t exile Jonah, but they certainly didn’t trust him. They’d carefully watched him all the way down Squirrel Street, popping out of doorways and sending hand signals down the hall. Even now at least four armed Space Raiders were watching the exchange. Jonah wasn’t exactly sure what damage he could do guarding what would soon be an empty brig, but lots of things didn’t make much sense on the Fantastic Flying Squirrel . He was getting used to it.
    â€œYeah,” Eric said cautiously, still backing away. “Lieutenant Gordon thought you might want to do it, since you’ve already done some hard time with Martin.”
    Jonah shrugged. “It was just three hours.”
    â€œFor now,” Eric said.
    â€œSo I just stand here?” Jonah called. Eric was already twenty feet away.
    Eric reached his bedroom door. “Think you can manage it?”
    Then he quickly stepped into his room and slammed the door shut. The loud clang echoed down Squirrel Street. Jonah just sighed and swung open the brig door. Light flooded into the small cell, pushing back the darkness. Jonah’s eyes widened.
    There, lying in the middle of the floor, was Martin the Marvelous.
    He was lying flat on his back, eyes closed, arms sprawled out beside him. It looked like he’d been shot. Jonah rushed into the room and knelt down beside him.
    â€œMartin,” he said desperately, shaking his shoulders. “Martin!”
    Martin’s eyes flicked open. “Yes?”
    Jonah yelped and fell backward in surprise. “Why are you on the floor?”
    â€œI sleep here,” Martin said calmly. “Good for your posture. And the bed smells.”
    Jonah shook his head and stood up. “Do you have to sleep like that?”
    Martin slowly climbed to his feet, squinting against the light. “Always have. What did you do now?”
    â€œNothing,” Jonah said. “You’re free.”
    Martin looked out into the hallway. “I am?”
    Jonah nodded. “I’m the brig guard now.”
    Martin gave Jonah a fierce hug. “Thank you! Thank you! It’s been the longest three days of my life. From now on, Whiskerface is on his own. Or I’ll just share my bar. Probably that. Poor Whiskerface. He’s probably starving!”
    Martin skipped out of the brig. “I’m back!” He came to an abrupt halt.
    Jonah followed him out and saw that at least ten grim-looking Space Raiders were now watching them from all parts of Squirrel Street, their hands on their weapons.
    Martin turned to Jonah. “Did I miss something?”
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    Martin the Marvelous headed off to his bedroom soon after, and Jonah was left alone, standing in front of the old, rusted brig door. He had no idea how long he was supposed to stand here, or if they even had clocks or time or night and day on the Squirrel.
    He did know he was getting tired. On the way to his shift, he’d managed to quickly eat the food bar, which still tasted like