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them somewhere. Now, I’ve got to find them again!
If
I need your help, I’ll tap at your window tonight. Those thieving Gnairt probably won’t leave without the eggs I found earlier, and
mine
are well hidden.”
    I would have been annoyed at that jab if I hadn’t been so freaked at the idea of creepy Gnairt being around.
    â€œSo how come your Galactic Patrol didn’t keep the Gnairt away?”
    She snorted. “Patrol ships are spread thin just now. Looks like we’re on our own here.” If the translator got it right, she sounded a little scared.
    â€œAlert that Opal person too,” she continued. “Much as I hate to say it, we may need her help. Things are getting tricky, even for a trained professional like me.”
    Trained indeed. She was just a kid getting training on the job. Like me.
    Vraj completed her basket and examined it from several angles. Tucking it under her littlearm, she disappeared into the woods. The counselors never noticed the brief appearance of a new camper, though I wondered which kid would soon be reporting missing clothes.
    At lunch I told Opal about the mysterious basket maker, and she was delighted about maybe having another adventure with her dinosaur friend. I wasn’t. I’d had enough adventures with aliens for one year. But that night, I lulled myself to sleep with the thought that “experienced professional Vraj” could probably handle this herself, and I’d seen the last of her. Dream on.
    A tapping noise—it sounded like a branch blowing against the glass—pulled me from sleep. There were no trees near that window. I scrambled down the log wall, pulled on clothes as quietly as I could, and slipped outside.
    Two figures waited in the tree shadows cast by a bright half moon. “I’ve found the Gnairt’s camp,” Vraj whispered harshly. “They probably don’t know they’re dealing with an officialof the Galactic Patrol, but I may need some backup in the rescue.”
    Opal was jumping around, wanting to know what the “dinosaur” said. I only changed it a little. “She says she may need our help rescuing the eggs from her enemies.” I hoped that Opal would never actually meet those enemies. Gnairt might be sort of human looking, but based on personal experience, I knew they are definitely more dangerous than most of the dinosaurs that ever lived.
    Vraj was already trotting off into the shadowy trees. Opal and I hurried, trying to catch up. I wondered if all of Vraj’s people were this snotty or if it was only the cocky kids trying to prove how great they are.
    We’d almost lost sight of Vraj when a voice came from the shadows right beside us. “Going somewhere, little lovers?”
    We spun around. Two people stood there, one cabinmate for each of us—Scott and Melanie, both looking smug.
    â€œCan’t think of a more unlikely couple,”Melanie said. “But isn’t tapping on windows awfully old-fashioned?”
    â€œHey, it’s not what you think,” Opal protested.
    â€œNo,” Scott offered. “Instead of going off to smooch in the woods, it’s some science experiment. Forget it. You’ve already used up that excuse.”
    Opal was spluttering into a story, but I trusted my imagination more than hers. “It’s not an experiment, it’s a rescue. We found out who stole the Duthwite and we’re going to get it back.”
    â€œWho’d want a bunch of old rocks?” Melanie laughed.
    â€œWhat do you know?” Opal piped up. “You didn’t see them.”
    â€œRight,” I added. “They’re rare glow-in-the-dark rocks. Rock dealers would pay lots for them.”
    Scott snorted. “So a couple of clueless kids confront big bad rock robbers. That’s a weak TV plot.”
    â€œSorry, but it’s true.” Then I smiled. “You can come and watch if you’d like. But maybe you