The Enemy's Lair Read Online Free PDF Page A

resource from us. They use it to heat up their atmosphere – they can’t stand even the slightest cold, as you know.’
     

     
    ‘Skip the exobiology lesson,’ Diesel snapped. ‘Why did you attack our galaxy?’
    ‘Because our own CO ² resources were so depleted we had to look elsewhere. Earth pumps large volumes of CO ² into its atmosphere, so we began to drill holes and secretly siphon off some of it.’
    Peri started to untie the prince. ‘That explains the holes in our ozone. It’s puzzled Earth scientists for centuries. We used to have global warming, then global cooling . . .’
    The prince nodded. ‘It would have such an effect, yes. Anyway, our situation did not get better. Siphoning off small quantities from Earth was no longer enough. Our politicians said we had no choice but to attack and take it all.’
    ‘Seems to me there must have been lots of other choices,’ Peri said. ‘Why didn’t you talk to Earth and the other Milky Way planets – try to make a trade? We are a fair people, you know.’
    Prince Onix hung his head. ‘I know it was wrong. But there was no time. We thought we were threatened with extinction. Intergalactic negotiations and treaties take years.’
    ‘Yeah, OK, whatever. Enough of that,’ Diesel interrupted. ‘We have to get out of here.’ He pointed at Peri. ‘Come on, bionic guts – use that special connection of yours to help us escape.’
    Peri shook his head. ‘I’ve lost the connection.’
    ‘What?’ Diesel shouted.
    ‘Ever since I was zapped by that electric mace,’ Peri explained, ‘it’s as if my circuits are jumbled.’
    Diesel squinted. The strip of hair on his head spiked straight up in the air. ‘Maybe you need a reboot, robot.’
    Peri frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
    Diesel didn’t answer. Instead, he curled his hand into a fist and punched Peri in the jaw.
    Peri saw stars and then his world went black. The next thing he knew, Diesel and Prince Onix were helping him to his feet.
    Peri shook his head. He rubbed his sore jaw. ‘Why did you do that?’
    ‘Manual reboot,’ Diesel said with a smile. ‘Did it work?’
    Peri did feel as if something had clicked back into place. He wiggled his jaw to make sure nothing was broken. ‘You didn’t have to hit me so hard.’
    Diesel smirked. ‘If it worked, that’s all that matters.’
    Peri took a deep breath and walked to the section of wall that had slid back to admit them. It was completely smooth, no sign of a join. He placed his palms on the wall. It was warm to the touch. A humming noise began in his head. Yes, he could feel something beneath his fingertips, a network of energy lines, running through the wall like arteries and veins. There was a place where the energy lines converged – a hot spot. He pressed. A panel slid silently open. Beneath, he saw a pattern of pulsing lines, red, yellow, blue and green, like spaghetti made of light. He knew, somehow, he had to place his thumb just there , breaking the connection between the red light and the blue.
    He felt a mild tingling in his thumb as he touched the spot. There was a soft hum. The cell door slid open.
    ‘Well done,’ Prince Onix whispered, looking up and down the corridor.
    ‘Took your time about it,’ said Diesel.
    ‘We have to beam down to Meigwor to rescue Selene,’ Peri said. He felt his energy surge. An idea was forming. He was getting back to his old bionic self. He touched another section of wall. ‘Bits and bobs,’ he said to the Phoenix . ‘Unlock.’
    The bits and bobs drawer slid out. From a jumble of string, gaffer tape and laser screwdrivers, he pulled out the Xion teleportation band. ‘Lucky we’ve got this!’ Peri turned to the prince. ‘But you’d better not come. Meigwor isn’t safe for you.’
    ‘It isn’t safe for us either,’ Diesel added.
    ‘If I stay on the ship, the Meigwor and the Fooswaylian will find me,’ said Prince Onix, nervously chewing his lip.
    ‘No, they won’t,’ said Peri.