Astrid Maxxim and Her Amazing Hoverbike Read Online Free PDF

board.  “ Why would we want to get into a such a crowded business . ”
    “ Our batteries will change the marketplace ,” replied Astrid.  “ They will change the world.  First of all, since they are made with our own, patented Astricite, their charge will last much longer than any other batteries.  Secondly, again because of the Astricite, they can be made for far less.  Finally, and perhaps most importantly, they will be far less toxic than batteries made with lead, mercury, or cadmium.
    “ Every year Americans alone dump 180,000 tons of batteries into landfills where toxic contaminants leach out into the soil and water.  Every year dozens of children are hospitalized because of ingesting tiny batteries, from which corrosive or poisonous chemicals are released . ”
    “ Our batteries would be safe to swallow ?” asked former Senator Charles Bentlemore.
    “ No ,” Astrid replied.  “ There is still the problem of liquefaction necrosis, which occurs because sodium hydroxide is generated by the current produced by the battery . ”
    “ But our batteries wo n’ t leach into landfills ?” asked board member Saul Smith.
    “ Correct.  Astricite has a relatively short life, on the order thirty to forty years depending on the sample size.  After that, it degrades into its component compounds, all of which are non-toxic . ” 
    “ How much money can we make on this ?” asked Astri d’ s uncle Carl, her fathe r’ s brother and Aunt Laure n’ s husband.
    “ As my mother can confirm ,” said Astrid ,“ batteries are a $64 billion dollar business . ”
    “ How soon can we get these to market ?” asked Mr. Roy Dillanson.
    “ I’ ve talked to Mr. Gortner in production, and he says we can have a factory in place in fourteen months . ”
    “ Why do n’ t we just use an existing factory in China or Mexico ?” asked Aunt Lauren.
    “ We will discuss that after Astrid has gone ,” said her mother.  “ You are finished, are n’ t you Astrid ? ”
    “ Yes, Mom . ”
    She started to leave, but was grabbed by Mrs. Gertrude Cuttyhunk, at 89 the oldest board member and the one sitting closest to where Astrid had stood.
    “ I just ca n’ t get over how much yo u’ re growing ,” said Mrs. Cuttyhunk.  “ Yo u’ re such a beautiful girl.  You remind me of your grandmother, you know . ”   She then whispere d“ do n’ t worry, you have my vote . ”
    “ Thanks, Mrs. Cuttyhunk . ”
    Astrid stepped outside to find her fifteen year old cousin Gloria sitting in the waiting area, hunched over a handheld video game.  Gloria was the only child of Uncle Carl and Aunt Lauren, and the three of them lived on the other side of the state in Socketburg.
    “ Hello, Gloria ,” said Astrid.
    “ Hello, nerd ,” said Gloria, without looking up.
    “ Are you and your parents staying over ? ”
    “ No . ”   Gloria still did n’ t look up.  “ W e’ re going home in the helicopter just as soon as the y’ re done . ”
    “ What are you playing ? ”
    “ Attack of the annoying chatterboxes . ”
    “ I’ ll just leave you alone then ,” said Astrid.
    “ Do n’ t go away mad ,” said Gloria.  “ Just go away quickly . ”
    Astrid sat down but had to wait only a few minutes until the board room door opened and the board members began filing out.  Mrs. Cuttyhunk gave Astrid a thumbs up as she passed.  Last to leave was her mother, who wrapped her arm around Astrid and led her toward her office.
    “ That was an excellent presentation ,” she told her daughter.  “ Perhaps I do n’ t say it enough, but I’ m proud of you . ”
    “ So, w e’ re going into the battery business ? ”
    “ Yes . ”
    “ And where is the factory going to be ? ”
    “ Here of course, in the Industrial Park . ”
    “ Aunt Lauren was right on the one hand ,” said Astrid.  “ We could make more money and get the product to market faster if we made them in China . ”
    “ The board would never vote that way.