Pirate Ambush by Max Chase Read Free Book Online

unconscious,’ Peri reported.
    ‘If I don’t do something, he’s going to crash!’ Selene screamed.
    Before Peri could ask the engineer what she meant, Selene had vanished.
    Jaxx’s ship was lurching between the churning masses of ice. It wasn’t going to survive long!
    ‘ Phoenix ,’ Peri called, ‘find Selene!’
    Selene appeared on the monitor inside Jaxx’s cramped vessel. She was leaning over the unconscious body of Jaxx, trying to steer his ship. ‘I’m doing the best I can, but the ship’s too badly damaged,’ she yelled. ‘You’ve got to beam us back, Peri!’
    Peri’s fingers raced across the control panel. He pulled a lever to activate the teleportation beam, but nothing happened.
    ‘It won’t work!’ Peri cried. ‘The mineral deposits in the ice are causing too much interference.’
    Selene looked terrified. ‘If you don’t do something,’ she said, ‘we’re going to die!’

 
    Chapter 10
    ‘Engine’s in a critical condition,’ Selene yelled. ‘Navigation’s dead!’
    Jaxx’s ship spun off the edge of an ice-rock, scattering pieces of the starboard engine across the rings. Peri needed to somehow get the small vessel away from the ice rings’ interference. It was the only chance he had of beaming them on to the Phoenix before Jaxx’s ship crashed or exploded.
    This isn’t just some stupid obstacle course , Peri thought. Selene and Jaxx’s lives are in my hands!
    ‘The IF obstacle course!’ Peri exclaimed. His mind tingled as he realised he knew what to do. His hands darted across the control panel. He yanked on the thrusters, sending the Phoenix hurtling towards the tiny craft.
    ‘Have you lost your bionic mind?’ Diesel shouted. ‘You’re going to get us all killed!’
    ‘Peri!’ Selene pleaded. ‘Don’t do anything stupid!’
    ‘Don’t worry,’ Peri yelled. ‘I’ve done this before!’
    It wasn’t going to be easy to intercept Jaxx’s out-of-control ship, especially at this speed. He thought he might just be able to snatch them up with a laser net – if he could dodge the ice debris . . .
    He swerved the ship left, then right. It was just a matter of timing – and hoping that the g-forces involved wouldn’t rip both ships apart. He activated the laser net as the Phoenix hurtled towards Jaxx’s vessel. Using his bionic connection to make microscopic adjustments, he angled the net to grab the damaged ship.
     

     
    ‘Hold on tight!’ he yelled to Selene.
    The Phoenix heaved violently as the laser net snatched up Jaxx’s ship. Peri strained against his astro-harness as both vessels were thrown spinning off into space towards Jupiter. But they still weren’t far enough from the rings’ interference.
    ‘Ten, nine, eight –’ Peri counted.
    ‘Peri!’ Selene screamed. ‘Jaxx is awake, but we’re losing engine stability!’
    Peri smashed on the emergency thrusters. The Phoenix roared forward. The whole Bridge shook from the strain. The laser net was ripped apart by the awesome forces bearing down on it, catapulting Jaxx’s ship away from the rings.
    ‘Activating teleporter!’ Peri yelled as he slammed down the lever.
    A nanosecond later, Jaxx’s ship exploded in a fireball the size of a comet.
    ‘S’fâh!’ Diesel exclaimed.
    Otto bowed his head. ‘It was a noble death.’
    Peri pulled another lever. Selene and Jaxx rematerialised on the Bridge in a bright shimmer of orange light. They had their arms around each other as if they were wrestling.
    ‘No!’ Peri and Diesel leaped from their chairs and grabbed the fugitive. ‘Get your hands off her!’
    ‘Death to the pirate!’ Otto rushed forward with his silver electro-prod out.
    ‘Wait!’ Selene jumped and grabbed Otto’s arm. ‘It’s not what you think.’
    ‘Let go!’ Otto yelled, trying to shake Selene off. The electro-prod swished wildly, sending sparks flying everywhere. As Otto dragged her towards Jaxx, Selene pulled a small tube from her belt and pressed it into the