Code Red by H. I. Larry Read Free Book Online Page A

age came racing up to them. ‘Agent Cougar?’ he asked. ‘Agent Big Boss wants to see you immediately.’
    Cougar nodded and the boy led him away.
    A second later, a group of agents in green uniforms dashed past, almost bowling Zac over. They hopped onto a row of identical motorbikes and zoomed away up the entry tunnel.
    â€˜Medical team,’ a voice behind him explained. ‘They’re heading over to get the people from the other two choppers.’
    Zac looked around. It was his older brother, Leon.
    â€˜Don’t worry, they’re all fine,’ Leon added. ‘Just a few little bumps and bruises.’
    â€˜Good,’ said Zac, relaxing slightly.
    â€˜So, who is he?’ Leon asked. ‘Who’s this mystery BIG agent who’s going to wipe out all our gadgets?’
    Zac still hadn’t figured out how to answer this question. ‘He’s…I don’t know who he is. But he looks exactly like me, like an identical twin or something.’
    â€˜Someone in disguise, then,’ said Leon thoughtfully.
    â€˜No,’ said Zac firmly. ‘It was too perfect to be a disguise. It was like looking into a mirror.’
    â€˜So there’s another Zac Power out there,’ Leon said slowly, ‘and he’s working for BIG. Is that what you’re saying?’
    â€˜I don’t know what I’m saying,’ Zac sighed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the little black device he’d found in the BIG agent’s jet in the jungle.
    â€˜What’s that?’ Leon asked.
    â€˜A holo-projector,’ said Zac. ‘It’s got something to do with Grandpa, but –’
    â€˜Grandpa?’ said Leon excitedly. ‘What is it? What does it say?’
    â€˜I don’t know,’ said Zac. ‘The data’s locked. It played for about 20 seconds and then it just cut out. But it sounds like BIG might know where Grandpa is.’
    Leon’s jaw dropped. ‘How?’ he said. ‘Grandpa’s been missing for years! No-one knows where he is!’
    Zac just shrugged.
    â€˜You’ve got to show the holo-projector to Agent Big Boss!’ said Leon. ‘If we can unlock this thing, maybe we can finally find out what happened to Grandpa!’
    But at that moment the nervous boy reappeared. ‘Agent Rock Star, Agent Big Boss wants to see you,’ he said.
    â€˜Right.’ Zac nodded, turning to leave.
    â€˜Hang on,’ said Leon. ‘What’s that around your neck?’
    â€˜Huh? Oh, this thing. I don’t know. It belonged to the BIG agent.’

    Zac handed Leon the little computer chip that the BIG agent had dropped.
    â€˜I’d better go see Big Boss,’ Zac said. ‘See you at home.’
    â€˜Bye,’ said Leon, examining the chip.
    Zac took the lift down to Agent Big Boss’s floor.
    As soon as the lift doors opened, a swarm of security agents surrounded Zac, pressing him back against a cold steel wall. For two full minutes, he was poked, prodded and scanned from every angle.
    â€˜Sorry about that,’ said Agent Big Boss as the guards finally let him pass. ‘We needed to be absolutely sure that you were the real Agent Rock Star, and not the BIG look-alike.’
    â€˜It’s OK,’ said Zac.
    â€˜And congratulations on rescuing our captured agents,’ Big Boss added.
    â€˜Thanks,’ said Zac, ‘but I was only able to rescue five of them. Their team leader was kidnapped. We’re going to send out a search team, right?’
    â€˜I’m afraid we’ve got no time to chase after missing agents right now,’ said Agent Big Boss, suddenly sounding grumpy.
    Zac was surprised. But wasn’t that what my mission was for? he thought to himself.
    â€˜Let’s move on,’ Agent Big Boss grumbled. ‘There’s a meeting in my office this afternoon to discuss the next phase of your mission. I want you there at 3:30pm