Warlord's Revenge by Zac Harrison Read Free Book Online

down now,” the scholar interrupted.
    “Sorry, sorry,” Raytanna gabbled.
    “Not at all. Your research sounds fascinating. We must find time to speak before you leave.”
    Kaal was next. Despite his earlier confidence, he was visibly shaking as he stood before the scholars. John knew that his shy room-mate hated being the centre of attention.
    From the corner of his eye, John saw the elderly Derrilian flash three fingers at Kaal – a Derrilian thumbs-up – and then cover the movement by scratching his nose. For the first time since entering the hall, John felt himself smile.
    Kaal’s question was on astrophysics. John knew it wasn’t one of his friend’s best subjects, but the hunched Elvian scholar seemed satisfied with his answer and told Kaal to return to his place.
    “Cool, well done, mate,” John whispered as Kaal stood next to him, wiping sweaty palms on his uniform.
    “John Riley.”
    On legs of jelly, John stepped up onto the dais.
    I won’t let them see how nervous I am.
    Straightening his posture, John lifted his chin and clasped his hands behind his back.
    “An Earthling,” wheezed a particularly old being – a tiny creature with grey, spotted skin and a nose that hung down to his waist. “We’ve never had an Earthling before, have we?”
    John felt a blush rise to his face as a number of the scholars leaned forward to inspect him.
    “They call themselves human beings, Thushlar. He’s the first to attend Hyperspace High,” said Socrat.
    “Earthlings, human beings – can’t they make their minds up?” wheezed the old being. “Never mind, never mind. As you have probably gathered, I am Scholar Thushlar. Tell me, what is the square root of three million, nine-hundred and twenty-eight thousand, three hundred and twenty-four?”
    John’s shoulders slumped with relief. Maths was by far his best subject. Numbers were the same in every galaxy, and he had always had a talent for solving mathematical problems. Even so, it was a fiendishly difficult question to tackle without a calculator.
    Break it down... Factorize into prime numbers... pair... carry over... check the result... check again...
    “One thousand, nine hundred, and eighty-two, sir.”
    Thushlar sat back in his throne. “Correct,” he said. “Fast. I like that in a mathematician.”
    “Thank you, Scholar Thushlar.”
    “And polite, too. Maybe Hyperspace High should get more of these Earthling human beings.”
    Liking the wheezy old alien more and more, John grinned up at him.
    “That will do, for now , John Riley. Back to your place.”
    Emmie was the last to face the scholars. By the time she climbed the steps, John could tell she was a nervous wreck. Unable to hold herself still, she folded her arms, then put them behind her back, then pushed silver hair out of her eyes.
    It seemed that the scholars had also noticed. “Emmie Tarz,” Aristil said gently, “in the third Quesney War, what was the name of the general who led the rebel Parshian forces?”
    John winced. Of all the subjects the scholars could have chosen for Emmie, Hyperspace History was the worst. She hated it and constantly confused the names and dates of important events. Aristil might as well have asked her to name every soldier who took part in the third Quesney War. He glanced up at Kaal, who shook his head. There was nothing they could do.
    On stage, Emmie stood in absolute silence. John could only see the back of her head, but he knew she would be biting her lip. He felt a horrible tight feeling in his chest as he watched his friend tremble.
    Silence.
    “I’m afraid I will have to hurry you.”
    “I-I d-don’t... ugh... is it... no, n-not h-him.”
    “Emmie Tarz?”
    “ General Looshid !” Emmie blurted.
    Aristil frowned. “That answer is incorrect.”
    “It was General Kaskov!” shouted Mordant. “General Trutley bo Kaskov.”
    The scholars ignored him. As one they stood. At the end of the line, Socrat took a step forward. “For the next test,