Three's a Crowd Read online

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  SEAS Introduction

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Mission Scores

  Top Ten Space Cadet Scoreboard

  School House Scoreboard

  Copyright

  Back Cover

  SEAS

  A Space Station Boarding School for Girls and Boys

  The Space Education and Action School (SEAS) is located on Space Station Edumax. Students in the space training program complete space missions on planets in outer space that are in danger and need help.

  Not all students will make it through to their final year and only the best students will go on to become space agents. Addie must make it through and become a Space Agent. Outer space needs her.

  Chapter One

  “Your first birthday at the school, Ads!” said Miya. “It’ll be tons of fun.”

  “It’ll be different, that’s for sure,” said Addie looking around the celebration holopod.

  Addie, Olivia, and Miya were all standing in the main celebration holopod.

  “What theme are you going to pick?” asked Olivia. “You can create any world or environment you want with this holographic equipment. It’s so cool. You can make different skies and settings with just a click of the pod’s party programmer.”

  “There’s so much here,” answered Addie, looking down at the party folder Ms. Bradstock had given her. “I’ve never seen anything like this place. I don’t know what to pick for the food or the activities or anything.”

  “Just do one thing at a time, then,” said Miya. “Let’s pick a theme and create the world first. You can choose the rest after.”

  There were fairy kingdoms, dinosaur adventures, jungle safaris, undersea worlds, pirate themes, magic themes, rock star themes, and tons more. The list was endless.

  “Okay, good plan, Miya,” said Addie.

  Olivia frowned. “That’s what I just asked you to do—pick a theme,” she said to Addie. “I may as well not even be here!”

  “Hey, I didn’t ignore you, Olivia,” said Addie. “You asked what theme I was going to pick, and Miya suggested how I should go about it.” Addie could see Olivia was still annoyed. “I’m just a little blown away by all this,” she tried to explain. “You’ve been in the celebration pods before. I haven’t. Anyway, I think it will be easier if I go with the activities first. Dad said nothing really expensive.”

  “What about the super-silver-jewelry-making-moments party?” Olivia suggested. “I’d love to do that.”

  “That’s one of the most expensive parties you can have,” Miya pointed out.

  “Whatever! I’m going to go and look at the karaoke stuff,” Olivia said, and she stomped off.

  “What’s with her lately?” asked Addie.

  “What do you mean?” asked Miya as she looked through the party folder.

  “She’s been kind of weird ever since you and I came back from our last mission.”

  “Kind of weird?”

  “Like, she has to be with me all the time,” said Addie. “And just then, how she thought I didn’t listen to her. That sort of stuff.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. She has been a little weird,” said Miya. “Let’s just get your party done, then we’ll deal with her. Hey, what about a mini-makeover party or the pop star party? They’d be tons of fun.”

  “Or what about the supermodel one?” Addie asked as she touched the supermodel icon on the party programmer. Suddenly the room was transformed. A fully lit modeling catwalk appeared on the holopod floor and it went down the center of the room. Bright spotlights crisscrossed over the catwalk and the dome roof was covered with stars.

  “How awesome is this?” Addie asked. “I love it! Look at these clothes and those cool beds. I can’t wait to have a sleepover here.”

  “And it won’t cost much at all,” said Miya. “The disco and karaoke are free. And we can all bring our own makeup, nail polish, hair straighteners, and other stuff to use.”

  “We can do each other’s hair and makeup and put on a show. Then go into the disco for a karaoke night. What do you think, Olivia?” Addie asked, trying to pull her friend back into the party fun.

  “Yep, it would be awesome,” said Olivia, looking over the new karaoke list.

  Just then the door of the pod opened and Ms. Bradstock walked in with a group of girls.

  “What an exciting choice, Addie,” Ms. Bradstock said as she looked around the pod. “Is this the theme you’ve chosen?”

  “I think so,” Addie replied. “Is this pod still free for my birthday?”

  “Well, the main pod is kept for large parties. Your party is for twelve girls, right?”

  “Yes, that’s right,” said Addie, and then she saw Valentina among the group of girls. Oh no, she thought. I forgot—we share the same birthday. “Hi, Valentina,” she said. “Are you planning to celebrate your birthday on Saturday night too?”

  “Yes,” said Valentina. “It will be the party of the year. I’ll need this main pod to fit all the people I’m inviting.”

  “Oh, what kind of party are you going to have?” Olivia asked.

  “The super-silver-jewelry-making-moments,” answered Valentina.

  “Addie, Celebration Pod 2 is the perfect size for your group,” said Ms. Bradstock. “Come with me and I’ll show it to you. You can still have everything you see here. All the holopods can create all the party themes.”

  “Oh, okay,” answered Addie, trying not to sound disappointed. “I’ll just get my bag and head over.”

  As Addie went to collect her things, Olivia raced over to Valentina. “I love the sound of that jewelry-making party,” she said to her.

  “Yeah, and that’s just the first thing. I’ll also have tons of other activities,” said Valentina. She smirked. “But nothing as lame as a supermodel party.”

  “Oh, good,” agreed Olivia. “A supermodel party would be so boring.”

  “Olivia,” Miya snapped. “What’s with you? You just told Addie it would be fun.”

  But Addie didn’t stay to hear Olivia’s reply. She ran out of the pod.

  “Do you even care that you hurt her feelings?” asked Miya as she watched Addie leave. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going after her.”

  Just then Miya’s SpaceBerry beeped.

  Not now, she thought as she took it from her pocket.

  Then she heard another SpaceBerry beep.

  “That’s mine,” said Olivia. “Let’s go.”

  “I’m going to find Addie first,” said Miya. “I’ll see you there.”

  Miya raced out the pod’s door, and as she did, she saw Valentina slip Olivia a note.

  Outside, Addie was nowhere to be seen. Miya gave up looking and started making her way to the FlyBy. But first she sent Addie a message on her SpaceBerry.

  Astron Girl

  Called to a mission. Forget about what just happened. Your party will be the best! C U soon.

  Chapter Two

  Miya was breathless from running when she reached the FlyBy’s door. She quickly smiled into the security box on the door. The screen flashed.

  “Welcome, SC Astron Girl,” said Ms. Styles. “I’ve been waiting for you. Space Cadets Orbital 2 and Star Girl are here too. Now that we are all together, I can start the briefing.”

  “Sorry I was late, Ms. Styles,” said Miya. She glanced at the other girls. Olivia was facing away from Addie, who
had red eyes and a blotchy face. She looked back to her teacher. “Why are there three of us?” she asked. “Missions are always done in pairs.”

  “This time it’s a little different,” said Ms. Styles. “We think three cadets working together is what’s needed to save this planet.” She looked steadily at each of the girls in turn.

  Addie stared at her feet. She knew Ms. Styles could tell she’d been crying.

  “And the three of you look like you could use some time together to iron out a few problems.”

  “We’re fine, Ms. Styles. Really,” said Addie. “I just got a little upset about something, but I’m okay.”

  “I’m glad,” said Ms. Styles, smiling. “It’s not easy being away from your homes and families. The school tries hard to support its students. We make sure you have live video chats with family and friends. Special trips home on the school shuttle bus help too. But here in space we have to think of ourselves as another kind of family. We have to look out for each other. Isn’t that right, Olivia?”

  “Yes, Ms. Styles,” she mumbled.

  “Good. Now I’d like you each to sit down and take some time to learn about Rednessis. It’s a nice little planet just at the edge of the super star cluster Gingela.”

  Addie looked at the clear computer screens floating beside five huge, comfy-looking round chairs. They were arranged side by side in a semicircle. The screens had icons running down the sides of them, but the screens looked like they were made of glass.

  “These are so cool,” said Addie.

  “Yes, they do the job,” Ms. Styles said, smiling. “While you girls are learning about the planet, I’ll load myself onto your watches as the holographic teacher and check your GPS tracking chips. We need to know we can find you when you’re on the mission.”

  Ms. Styles collected the watches and left the room. Addie jumped into the seat in the middle of the semicircle. Miya flopped down beside her, but Olivia left a chair between Addie and herself.

  “Why don’t you sit next to me?” asked Miya.

  “I’m okay here,” answered Olivia. She watched as Miya and Addie pulled their screens toward them and touched an icon. Then she quietly pulled out the note that Valentina had given her and read it.

  Olivia folded the note up and put it in her pocket. Then she touched the SpaceChat icon on her screen. Valentina was online.

  Orbital 2

  I'm not sure about a bad score.

  Supernova

  I'm first, Grace is second, and Miya is third on the scoreboard. I don't want Miya getting a good score. Don't you want to come to my party?

  Olivia bit her lip. She glanced at Addie and Miya. They were talking and researching together. Best buddies, roomies, and mission partners, Olivia thought. I’m always left out now. Besides, I’m last on the scoreboard. It won’t matter much to me if we get a bad score.

  Orbital 2

  Yep. I do want to come to your party. Thanks.

  Olivia quickly closed the chat and then touched the reptalien icon on her screen.

  When Ms. Styles returned she gave the girls their watches back. “Now follow me to Docking Bay 4,” she said. “I’ll brief you aboard the Twin Rigger 1.”

  Ms. Styles walked with Addie and Miya, and Olivia followed behind.

  “I’m so glad you are on the spaceball team now, Addie. You have the makings of a fine goalie,” said Ms. Styles.

  “Thanks,” said Addie. “I still have a long way to go, but I’m enjoying playing now.”

  They turned into the docking bay and stood facing what looked like two spacecraft stacked on top of each other.

  “Do they fly together?” asked Addie.

  “Yes,” answered Ms. Styles. “Let’s get aboard and I’ll explain.”

  Inside the cabin was a three-seat couch that curved around a table.

  “Please take a seat, girls, and I’ll quickly brief you,” said Ms. Styles. “Rednessis, as you now know, is populated by blue, scaly reptaliens. They need full sunlight to function and stay healthy. Their tiny planet orbits around a yellow star a little like Earth’s sun. However, their sun shines sunlight constantly on the area of the planet where the reptaliens live. But the planet has been plunged into darkness. We need you to find out why so that it can get its sunlight back.”

  “Do we need suits specially made for the conditions, like when we went to Planet Aquare?” asked Miya.

  “Yes, we think it’d be best if you resemble the alien life forms of Rednessis,” answered Ms. Styles. “You will find your spacesuits for this mission in the cabin lockers.”

  “What about our mission packs and any other equipment?” asked Olivia.

  “Space Agent Cosmic Cruiser will take you through those and anything else you need to know during the flight. She will also fly you down to Rednessis in the smaller Rigger. We prefer that the larger Rigger doesn’t try to land on the planet itself. It will hover a little farther away and wait for your return.”

  “Excuse me, Ms. Styles,” said Addie. “Where’s Space Agent Space Surfer?”

  “SA Space Surfer is sick and in the school infirmary,” answered Ms. Styles. “Just a bug. Okay, girls, it’s time for me to leave you. Please work together and I trust you will have a successful mission.”

  Chapter Three

  The doors of the Twin Rigger closed. A voice Addie didn’t know came through the cabin speakers. “Welcome aboard the Twin Rigger 1,” said SA Cosmic Cruiser. “We’ll be taking off in about ten minutes. Please put your spacesuits on and prepare for takeoff.”

  Miya went over to the lockers and pulled out the spacesuits. They looked like they were made from shimmering scales in every shade of blue. “It’s scale-like fabric, not real scales,” she said to the others.

  “They have two tails on them!” Olivia laughed, taking hers.

  “I’m almost too scared to ask what our helmets look like,” said Addie.

  “About the same,” said Miya. “But check out the space boots!”

  “Are those claws on the end of them?”

  “Just over the toes,” answered Miya.

  The girls put on their suits and Miya let Cosmic Cruiser know that they were ready.

  The Twin Rigger’s rockets roared and it shot out of the docking bay into space.

  “It’s safe to move around the cabin now, space cadets,” said Cosmic Cruiser. “Your mission packs are under your seats. You each have a flashlight and a packet of Rapid Repair. Your flashlights have three settings for different situations.”

  “The instructions for the Rapid Repair are on the packets. There is also a D-Max Mag in one of the storage bays. The D-Max is compact when not in use. When expanded using the Unpackit app on your SpaceBerries, it will pop out to the size of the cabin. The D-Max Mag has extreme magnifying powers.”

  “Doesn’t magnifying something just make it seem bigger?” asked Olivia.

  “Rednessis is tiny, so maybe everything on it is tiny, too,” answered Addie.

  Addie took out her flashlight and turned it on. “The mirror setting doesn’t really do much,” she said. “But the kaleidoscope setting is great. Look at that!” The flashlight shined a spectacular pattern onto the cabin wall that moved and turned just like looking into a real kaleidoscope. “I wonder what we’d need these different light settings for?”

  “Who knows,” answered Olivia in a bored voice, and she began to take her flashlight apart.

  “Why did you say what you said to Valentina back in the celebration pod?” Miya asked. It was the first chance she’d had to talk to Olivia about it with no teachers around.

  “I think Valentina’s party sounds better, that’s all,” answered Olivia.

  “And you’d rather go to hers than mine?” Addie asked. Please don’t cry, Addie, she thought. Don’t cry. Olivia didn’t answer.

  Miya shrugged and shook her head.
“Don’t you like us anymore?”

  “It’s you two. Not me,” Olivia snapped. “You leave me out all the time.”

  Miya’s mouth fell open. She was about to say something when Cosmic Cruiser’s voice came through the cabin speakers again. “We are about to enter Gingela. We’ll be arriving in about fifteen minutes. Traveling through star clusters can get bumpy, so please store your mission packs and fasten your seat belts.”

  Addie and Miya repacked their mission packs and stowed them under their seats. Olivia still had the lid of her flashlight off, and its power chip lay on the table. She quickly slipped the chip into the tissue she was holding and then put it in the trash. She packed everything away and the three girls sat in silence as the Twin Rigger 1 flew bumpily through the gasses of the star cluster.

  After a while the Rigger slowed. Then it seemed to come to a stop.

  “Planet Rednessis is straight ahead, cadets,” said Cosmic Cruiser as she came into the cabin. “You won’t be able to see it yet. I’ve set the Twin Rigger to hover, and this is where we leave it. Grab your things and follow me. We’ll be going down to the planet in the small Rigger. Awesome suits, by the way.”

  Addie laughed. “I’m sure looking like a reptalien must have its advantages or they wouldn’t have made us dress like this!”

  “Definitely,” said Cosmic Cruiser.

  When everyone was seated in the small Rigger, Cosmic Cruiser handed each of the cadets a set of night-vision goggles. “You’ll need to attach these to your helmets,” she said. “This normally sunny planet is in total darkness. I think you’ve used them before?”

  “Yes, we have,” said Miya as she took hers.

  “Okay, does everyone have their seat belts fastened?” asked Cosmic Cruiser.

  “Yes,” the three cadets answered.

  Cosmic Cruiser pushed the throttle and the small jet lifted off and then flew forward. Swirls of gas lit by several stars wooshed past the cockpit window. Then suddenly everything went black.