Free War on Whimsy by Liane Moriarty Page A

11!” cried Tyler, grabbing the wheel again from Shimlara.
    They made it onto the Blue-5 road and Nicola relaxed. Good. Now they just had to stay on this road until they got to the Underground Sea.
    â€œHow about we turn the radio on?” called out Sean. “We can hear some Volcomanian music!”
    â€œQuiet down at the back of the bus!” Tyler called back, in a good imitation of their normal school bus driver, but he reached over and turned a dial. The radio crackled to life. It was a news bulletin. Nicola wasn’t especially interested in current affairs on Earth, but it was entirely different when she was on another planet. She leaned forward with interest as a deep, authoritative voice read out the news:
    The President, Mrs. Mania, has ordered the drafting of a further ten thousand soldiers for the war on Whimsy. Anyone with a name beginning with N, S, T, M, or L should report immediately for duty at their nearest Draft Office.
    In other news, the Volcomanian Army has captured the Whimsian town of Melody. Mrs. Mania said this was an important strategic move for the army. Total surrender by the Planet of Whimsy is expected within a matter of days. (“Then why are they drafting more soldiers?” asked Tyler.)
    A small group of anti-war protesters is creating traffic chaos on the Blue-5 road, heading south. (“We’re heading straight for the chaos,” said Greta.) Police have been called.
    In intergalactic news, there has been no sign of the United Aunts for the last twenty-four hours. Kidnapping is suspected. Mrs. Mania reacted angrily to allegations that Volcomania was in any way involved. (“Bet they did it!” called out Sean.)
    It should be a cool to mild day (“Cool to mild?” exploded Shimlara) with south to south easterly breezes and low-level volcanic eruptions throughout the day.
    A cheery DJ’s voice came on the radio. And now turn up your dials for the latest top-ten hit from the Lava-Heads! It’s going to rock your socks off, people!
    Everyone winced as a strange sound erupted from the radio like the wails of a badly injured cat. Tyler quickly switched it off.
    â€œRight,” said Greta. She stood up and turned around so she was facing the back of the bus. “I think we should pretend to be doing a story on the anti-war protest.That way, we can interview the protesters and we might find some important information to help us find Shimlara’s family.”
    Nicola nearly groaned out loud. This was an excellent idea. Why hadn’t she thought of it herself? Now Greta would use it as an opportunity to prove that she should be the leader of the Space Brigade.
    â€œGreat idea,” said Nicola generously.
    â€œI know,” said Greta. She sat down and Nicola breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this time Greta wasn’t going to bother trying to make a point.
    Greta stood up again and faced the back of the bus.
    â€œI was just thinking, this really proves that I am better qualified to be the leader of—”
    â€œWhoops-a-rosie!” called out Shimlara, as the bus veered off the side of the Blue-5 road, causing Greta to quickly sit down again without finishing her sentence.
    Don’t worry, Nic, she’s never going to be leader of the Space Brigade, said Shimlara’s voice loud and clear in Nicola’s head.
    Katie nudged Nicola and gave her a wink. Although Nicola and Katie couldn’t read each other’s minds or speak in each other’s heads, they’d been friends for long enough that Nicola had a pretty good idea what Katie was thinking. Her loyalty was as solid as lava stone.
    Hey, I know you’ve known Katie forever but my loyalty is just as solid! said the voice of Shimlara in Nicola’s head.
    SHIMLARA! KINDLY VACATE MY BRAIN! shouted Nicola without moving her lips.
    Nicola pulled out a notepad and pen from her backpack. She chewed on the pen as she tried to come up with some excellent questions