The Garbage Chronicles Read Online Free PDF

called out. “Take me with you!”
    Javik slapped his hand against his pocket. It was flat empty. “Uh oh,” he muttered. Wizzy’s a comet too? he thought.
    Wizzy tried to fly high, but kept falling back to Earth. This made him look like a rock skipping across the landing strip. Soon Javik could not see or hear him.
    “What came out of your pocket?” Evans asked, looking at Javik.
    Javik did not respond. He watched the tail of the Great Comet disappear, leaving a gaping hole in the cloud cover. The sun appeared, pushing the long shadows of the scout ships across the field. Javik felt warmth on his cheeks.
    Wizzy mentioned a Council of Magic, Javik thought. So that’s it? Magic?
    President Ogg continued to wave his arms until the Great Comet had gone. Then he turned to face the crewmen, saying angrily, “That will be all, gentlemen.” He turned hastily and left the stage with his aides.
    Javik saw Chief of Staff Birdbright break away from the President. Birdbright rolled toward the clusters of crewmen. “Which crew is going to Guna One?” he called out.
    “Here, sir!” Javik yelled, raising his hand.
    Birdbright was all business as he approached Javik, leaning forward and carrying a very stern expression.
    When the Chief of Staff arrived, he and Javik exchanged salutes. Then Javik compared their heights. He’s a bit taller than I am, Javik thought.
    Birdbright’s smoke gray eyes met Javik’s gaze. “You are in charge?” Birdbright asked.
    Javik straightened. “Yes, sir.”
    “As you must be aware, Captain, your mission is unique. The other crews are on random searches, but you . . . ” Bird-bright paused and rubbed his dimpled chin thoughtfully.
    “I understand, sir. The arch criminal Abercrombie catapulted garbage to Guna One intentionally—planning to set up a recycling station there.”
    “Lower your voice!” Birdbright rasped, “We do not appreciate that word!”
    Javik lowered his eyelids in shame, cursing himself inwardly for his faux pas.
    “The ‘r’ word!” Birdbright whispered, nearly touching noses with Javik.
    It doesn’t seem so horrible to me, Javik thought. I’m tired of being beaten to death with this Job-Support thing!
    “ ‘It’s not fair to repair,’” Birdbright intoned. “‘It’s not nice to use twice.’” Javik saw Birdbright’s eyes glaze over from the profound truth of the mantras.
    Nodding dutifully, Javik thought, Anyone who thinks ‘Jobs Are Sacred’ never pulled garbage-shuttle duty!
    “Abercrombie may be on Guna One,” Birdbright said. “He’s never been apprehended, you know.”
    “We’ll be alert, sir.”
    Birdbright stared at Javik with the overbearing scrutiny of one knowing he is in a superior position. “Very well, Captain,” he said.
    They exchanged salutes again.
    Moments later, as Autocopter One lifted and sped away, Javik wondered what lay in store for him. Gawd, he thought. The immensity of his assignment hit him.. This is big stuff!
    “What jumped out of your pocket?” Evans asked.
    “A meckie toy,” Javik said. “Sent by a friend to amuse me.”
    “Well, here it is back,” Blanquie said.
    Javik barely had time to cup his hands before Wizzy leaped onto them. Wizzy’s dark blue body felt cool.
    “Papa’s gone,” Wizzy said dejectedly. “I’m on my own.”
    “Aw Cha-rist,” Javik said, seeing crewmen from other ships approaching.
    “I’m sorry,” Wizzy said. “My emotions . . . ”
    Javik stuffed Wizzy in his pocket and zipped it shut.
    “What you got there, Tom?” one asked.
    “Cute little gadget,” another said. “Bring it out, Tom.”
    “It talks?”
    “Leave me alone, guys,” Javik said. “It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”
    Gradually the crewmen dispersed.
    Javik looked up at the patch of blue sky. The Great Comet came into sight for a moment, a far-off orange fireball heading out to deep space. Soon it became a tiny dot of orange light.
    Javik felt something rustle at his side. Looking down, he saw Wizzy