The Battle by Jennifer Torres Read Free Book Online

town’s regional commander.
    Each region had a commander. They made the laws, enforced the rules, led the police, and ruled over the other officials in town. Rusty had respected him, trusted him. But he had tricked Rusty. He was a bad man—the one responsible for all of the kidnappings on Earth.
    In charge of all the regional commanders was the chief who lived in Nomad.
    Rusty was tired of waiting for Trident to speak.
    â€œDoes the chief know about your little experiment?” he asked briskly.
    â€œOf course not,” Trident said with a laugh. “He doesn’t know what this planet needs. He is weak. And once I take over, things will change. Indus will be strong.”
    â€œOnce you . . . take over?” Rusty stammered. “You really are crazy.”
    â€œMy experiment is the only thing that could save this planet. In ten years, there will be no more children born on Briny Deep unless we bring in children from other planets to grow up here, marry here, and have their own children here. By joining with compatible species, the population on Indus will continue to grow. I am the only one who can save this planet!”
    â€œSave it by kidnapping children from their real parents? That’s not saving anyone—that’s a crime and you have to be stopped.”
    Trident laughed again.
    â€œAnd who is going to stop me—you? By this time tomorrow, I will have a declaration of war approved by the chief against Earth.”
    â€œAgainst Earth—for what?” Rusty said in disbelief as he struggled with his cuffs.
    Trident moved closer to Rusty until he was just inches away from his face.
    â€œFor kidnapping
our children,
of course. For aggressively attacking our planet with thugs who took our beloved children away in ships.”
    â€œThat’s a lie!” Rusty yelled. “You would start a war just to cover up your own terrible plan?”
    â€œI would start a war to save my planet,” he replied. “And I plan to save it by taking over power from the chief once we declare war. He will look weak for allowing all these children to be taken over the years. The people of Indus will need a new leader—me.”
    Then he called for two men to take Rusty to a cell.
    â€œI’ll find a way to stop you,” Rusty shouted.
    â€œYou’re not going to stop anything,” Trident called after him as he was led away. “You are a spy who has been helping Earth in its devious plan—you are going to jail for a long time.”
    â€œYou won’t get away with this,” Rusty yelled out. “There are too many good people on Indus —they would never let you be the chief.”
    â€œAh, but you underestimate how many people are already on my side,” he hissed. “And once I harness these special powers I’m hearing about on Earth, there will be no stopping me.”
    â€œHow did you hear about that?” Rusty said as sweat dripped from his brow. “That’s not true.”
    â€œOh, but it is true,” Trident bellowed. “My spies tell me the kids are exhibiting special powers on Earth—guess that means I would have them, too!”
    Then Trident turned to the men from security.
    â€œTake him away,” he ordered.
    â€¢â€¢â€¢â€¢â€¢
    As Nina and Tim ran through the tunnel, Tim tried to remember which hatch led to Mr. Kull. Along the way, he told Nina all about Rusty being captured and his escape from Nomad.
    â€œIt was scary, but no one noticed me and as soon as I got to Briny Deep, I headed for the tunnels,” he said breathing heavily. “I was heading for Rusty’s cabin when I found you. I thought about going to my parents, but I didn’t want to get them in trouble.”
    Tim stopped by a hatch.
    â€œWait, this one leads to Ms. Duvall,” he whispered. “She can help us, too.”
    They climbed up the ladder to the hatch, opened it, and climbed inside. They were in her