Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars Read Online Free PDF

If—”
    â€œThat’s why you’re here?” my grandfather interrupted, lowering the gun ever so slightly. “For the game? It’s nothing to do with the summit?”
    â€œThe summit?” I asked, as Venetio shook his head vigorously.
    â€œI’m not interested in politics, sir. I’m just here for my team.”
    He unzipped the front of his suit to reveal a well-worn jersey with K2! KUIPER KICKERS! emblazoned on the front.
    My grandfather lowered his gun slightly.
    â€œHow old are you?” he asked. “And where did you get your ship? You said you borrowed it?”
    â€œI’m eleven,” Venetio answered. Then he gritted his teeth. “The ship belongs to my mom. She’s going to kill me when I get home. But it’ll be worth it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime game, and I just can’t miss it, sir. You understand?”
    My grandfather lowered his gun completely.
    â€œAll right, Venetio,” he said. “We’ll bring you along. Call your mother and tell her you’re OK. But if you cause any trouble—”
    â€œI won’t,” the Plutonian assured him. Then he turned to me and held out his hand. “My ticket please?”
    After a nod from my grandfather, I handed it back to him.
    Venetio cupped it briefly in his hands, then folded it reverently and placed it back inside his breast pocket. He smiled at all of us again. I went to smile back, but found that I couldn’t. A chill had come over me.
    I had just remembered why the name “Red Razers” was familiar.
    It was the name of the Martian soccer team. And the last time I had seen it, it had been written on a key chain. A key chain that held the key to the portable classroom where Principal Mathis had kept twelve of my classmates, including Elliot, prisoner. Until Sylvie and I had rescued them.
    A second chill came over me. I did my best to shake it off as Venetio turned and settled himself into one of the leather armchairs.
    â€œAhhhh,” he said, closing his eyes. “Much more comfortable than the cupboard.”

Not the Twilight Zone
    My grandfather had to put down the gun to pick up his iPad, but it was still within easy reach on the seat next to him.
    He caught me looking at it and grinned.
    â€œNot exactly what you were expecting to see on a spaceship, I suppose?” he asked.
    â€œI guess not,” I said. Although after the polar bears and the surprise Plutonian, I wasn’t sure what I expected anymore.
    My grandfather picked up the gun and twirled it around his hand once like a gunfighter.
    â€œIt may not be cutting edge,” he admitted, tucking it into his pants, just underneath the back flap of his jacket. “But it does the trick. I’ve done some cool modifications on it. Plus, it qualifies as an ‘historical artifact’ as opposed to a ‘weapon,’ so it’s much easier to travel with.”
    â€œWhat’s the ‘summit’?” I asked suddenly. “You asked Venetio if that was why he was going to Mars. What is it?”
    My grandfather waved his hand dismissively in the air.
    â€œOh, that’s what I was referring to when I mentioned the local politics,” he explained. “It’s just a bunch of Martian politicians getting together to decide on something. Very boring. Nothing for you to worry about. But there’s always a lot of media at these kinds of events and the Plutonians, especially the BURPSers, like to use these occasions to make a stink. Just to remind us all that they’re still sore about being considered a dwarf planet.”
    I gave our stowaway a sideways glance.
    â€œAre they dangerous? The BURPSers, I mean.”
    â€œWell…” My grandfather considered this, as he scratched the back of his neck. “They did try to blow up Neptune once. It didn’t work,” he added hastily as Elliot walked up to us.
    â€œUm, Dr. Franklin, how long before we get