Astrid Maxxim and Her Amazing Hoverbike Read Online Free PDF Page B

Roy Dillanson wants to ensure jobs in Maxxim City, Marisela Elisandro wants to ensure jobs for Santa Maria, and Saul Smith wants to ensure jobs for the Indian Reservation . ”
    She turned and wrapped her arms around Astrid.
    “ Besides ,” she continued ,“ your grandfather purchased and surveyed these 180,000 acres so that Maxxim Industries could be here, not scattered around the globe . ”
    “ Yo u’ re not even a blood relative ,” said Astrid.  “ Yo u’ re a daughter-in-law like Aunt Lauren.  How come you protect Grandp a’ s master plan when Uncle Carl, his own son, does n’ t seem to care about it ? ”
    “ Tha t’ s not for me to explain.  You can ask your father.  If he wants to tell you, he can.  But I made a promise to your grandfather, and I always keep my promises . ”   She gave Astrid a quick squeeze.  “ Now run along.  Your friends should just be getting out of school when you get there . ”

Chapter Six: Genius at Work
     
    Saturday again found Astrid working in her lab.  She was doing a few simple experiments and logging the results in her journal when Denise, the two Valeries and Austin Tretower walked through the door.
    “ Hey Astrid ,” called Denise.  “ W e’ re going bike riding and wondered if you wanted to go . ”
    “ Sure ,” replied Astrid, setting down her digital tablet.
    In addition to the monorail line and some roads, the many separate complexes on the Maxxim Industries campus were linked by bicycle paths.  Though seldom used as transportation from one section to another, they were used for traveling from one building to another within a section, as well as for recreation by the employees and visitors.  The bike paths behind the R&D building looped around in a rather sloppy figure eight shape, in and around a lovely desert garden and small park area, branching off here and there towards other buildings.  On the bottom floor of the big building was a small garage where bicycles could be checked out.  The five kids checked out four bikes, the two Valeries sharing a bicycle built for two.
    Riding on the path behind the R&D building was always fun, since it had short steep up slopes where one pedaled hard and then long downward slants on which to coast.  All in all, it seemed like there was far more downhill than uphill, though Astrid knew that this was impossible.  As they rode, the girl inventor pulled up beside the two Valeries.
    “ So, how are you making out, Valerie ? ”
    “ Same as always ,” Valerie replied.
    “ No, I meant Robot Valerie . ”
    “ Same as always ,” Robot Valerie replied.
    “ Well that ca n’ t be true ,” said Astrid.
    “ Yes, I guess yo u’ re right ,” said Robot Valerie.  “ I t’ s weird, you know.  Sometimes I feel like I want to eat something, but then I remember I’ m a robot now and I ca n’ t eat . ”
    “ Yo u’ re not a robo t‘ no w’,” corrected Astrid.  “ You always were a robot . ”
    “ If you say so, but it does n’ t feel that way.  I still have to sleep though.  My body does n’ t seem to get tired, but my brain does . ”
    “ Of course ,” said Astrid.  “ The human brain needs time to process its experiences.  Yours does too.  Do you dream ? ”
    “ Yes ,” replied Robot Valerie.  “ I keep dreaming of that time in seventh grade when your cousin Gloria locked us out of the house in our underwear . ”
    “ That was n’ t you ,” Astrid pointed out.
    “ Do n’ t pick on her ,” said Regular Valerie.
    They went up a hill and the bicycle built for two shot ahead.  Austin caught up with Astrid and rode beside her.
    “ My grandma told me this story all about how your dad built a motorcycle and rode all over the country on it ,” he said.
    “ Really?  I wonder why he said I was n’ t allowed to have one then ? ”
    “ Maybe you could invent something even better, like a flying bicycle . ”
    “ Tha t’ s a really good idea, Austin . ”
    Astri d’ s mind was