Canyon Chaos by Axel Lewis Read Free Book Online Page A

racers in the world?
    “Remember,” echoed the voice, “only the six fastest qualifiers will win a place in the Robot Races Championship. And...the...results are...in!”
    The screen went blank for a moment before it flickered and an image appeared. It was a face: the round, red face of Lord Ludwick Leadpipe, his monocle gleaming and a beady black eye peering through it.
    “The results of the qualifiers are as follows—” announced Lord Leadpipe. He paused and checked his notes, cleared his throat, scratched his ear, and cleared his throat again. The crowd was absolutely silent, leaning forwards in their seats as they waited.
    “With the fastest qualifying time in the world, in first place,” said Lord Leadpipe, “from the United States of America, Chip Travers and his racer, Dug.”
    Lord Leadpipe’s face disappeared, and in its place appeared the face of an African-American boy in a baseball cap, whooping and screaming on top of a huge yellow and gold robot shaped like a digger. The crowd cheered.
    “In second place,” announced Lord Leadpipe, “from Japan, Princess Kako and her racer, Lightning.”
    The face of the bouncing boy in the baseball cap vanished and a solemn Japanese girl appeared, leaning against a motorbike racer. Princess Kako smiled and nodded gently at the camera as she received her round of applause.
    “In third place,” said Lord Leadpipe, “from Australia, Missy McGovern and her racer, Monster.”
    A red-haired girl filled the screen suddenly. She was sat comfortably on the giant wheel of her monster truck racer, giving a big thumbs-up to the camera.
    “In fourth place,” said Lord Leadpipe, “from Egypt, Samir Bahur and his racer, Maximus.”
    More cheers rang out. Now it was the turn of a serious-looking boy to look out from the giant screen. The boy was scowling at the camera, and it was hard to believe he’d just won the race of his life. Behind him was an impressive hovercraft racer with giant fan engines that looked like they’d been taken straight from a windmill.
    “In fifth place,” said Lord Leadpipe, “from Sweden, Olaf Trygvasson and his racer, Velocitron.”
    The screen showed a stocky figure in a leather jacket, his head encased in a huge black crash helmet. He waved at the camera.
    “And finally, in sixth place, from the United Kingdom—”
    The crowd fell deadly silent.
    “Jimmy Roberts and his racer, Cabbie,” announced Lord Leadpipe.
    Jimmy stood stunned. There on the screen was a pale, skinny blond-haired boy with freckles all over his face and a mouth that was hanging open in surprise.
    It’s me! Jimmy thought.
    From somewhere in the background he could hear Lord Leadpipe continuing, “And that’s the end of the qualifying rounds. Thank you all for watching, racing fans. Tune in next time to see how our six contestants get on during the first round of this special edition of the Robot Races Championship. Bye for now.” And with a wink to the camera through his monocle, the cheery face of Lord Leadpipe disappeared.
    “Woo-hoo!” yelled Grandpa.
    “You did it!” cheered Max.
    I must be dreaming , Jimmy thought. I can’t really have qualified for the Robot Races Championship, can I?

Chapter 8 - Meeting the Competition
    The next day, at exactly 8.57 a.m., Jimmy and Grandpa made their way outside as the sky above them darkened. Lord Leadpipe’s giant airship floated gently overhead, blocking out most of the sun and making it seem to Jimmy like it was still night time.
    Cabbie drove out of the shed and parked himself in the garden. “How do I look, Jimmy?” he asked.
    Jimmy squinted at his racer. Grandpa had smartened up Cabbie’s appearance and made him look much more like a professional robot racer, but there were still grey patches welded onto the old taxi chassis, and lumps and bumps hammered into the bonnet. Cabbie wouldn’t be winning a beauty contest any time soon.
    “You look amazing,” said Jimmy, hoping that he sounded convincing.
    Jimmy