Warlord's Revenge by Zac Harrison Read Free Book Online Page B

scholars. Extra marks will be given to those who are able to tell us something that extends our own knowledge. The best presentation will win a special award.”
    John’s hand shot up. “Can you... errr... tell us where to find the right globes? There must be thousands in here,” he said.
    Aristil smiled again. She and Socrat began shuffling towards the exit. “It wouldn’t be much of a test if we gave you all the answers now, would it?” she said.
    “Don’t take too long finding your planets!” Socrat called over his shoulder. “The presentations begin in three hours.”
    The students spread out, gazing up in awe at the tiny glowing planets. “A special award,” said Emmie in an excited whisper. “Did you hear that? Aristil said there would be a special award for the best presentation. If I win, I might still pass the inspection.”
    “Good thinking,” John replied. “But first we need to find the right globes. It could take days.”
    Up ahead, Lishtig leaned over a shelf. “Hey, this one says it’s planet Fy-Ix-Cero,” he shouted. “Anyone here from Fy-Ix-Cero?”
    Seeing the students around him shake their heads, he grinned. “Oh well, only another few thousand to get through.” He moved along to the next globe. “How about Garshom Ssvene?”
    “The planets must be organized in a logical system,” Raytanna said, running a long, white finger along a shelf. “We only need to understand that system.”
    “Maybe they’re arranged alphabetically?” John suggested.
    Kaal shook his head. “It would be impossible to arrange so many worlds alphabetically,” he said. “For a start, most of them have different languages, some of which are impossible to translate.”
    “Perhaps they’re organized by size,” said Emmie, wandering up to the centre of the library, where a ring of glowing circular panels were set in the floor, surrounded by desks and MorphSeats. “What’s the biggest planet in the universe?”
    “No,” said Raytanna thoughtfully. “Too many planets would be similar in size. It must be something else.”
    By now, Kaal had reached the end of the row. “Hey!” he shouted back. “Every row has a number! Look! This one is zero-zero-one, the next row is zero-zero-two, and so on.”
    The other students clustered around him. “How’s that supposed to help us?” asked Werril doubtfully.
    Kaal’s straightened up, his eyes shining. “I’ve got it!” he shouted. “It’s obvious when you think about it. The planets are arranged by planetary number. Each row is a different galaxy, and the globes must be numbered according to their solar system and position.” Turning to Emmie, he said, “What’s Silar’s planetary number?”
    Emmie looked at him blankly. “Is that something I’m supposed to know?” she asked.
    Kaal sighed. “Silar is in the Zeta Galaxy, that’s the twenty-fourth.” He ran to row zero-two-four. “There are six hundred and thirty-seven solar systems in that region. Silar orbits Skylara, number three-eight-two.” Kaal’s forehead creased in concentration as he counted shelves. “Oh, they’re grouped into hundreds, that’s sensible,” he muttered. Raising his voice, he shouted, “How many planets in the Skylara system, Emmie?”
    “Oh, I know that,” Emmie replied brightly. “Six, Silar is the second.”
    “So the planetary number is zero-two-four-point-three-eight-two-point-zero-two,” he said, reaching up to a shelf. “And here’s Silar.”
    “Brilliant, Kaal,” said Emmie, as he dropped the small globe into her hands. “Now all we’ve got to do is find out how these things work.”
    The library filled with excited whoops as students scurried down rows and found their own planets. Only John was left looking around, still baffled. “Umm... I have no idea what Earth’s planetary number is, either,” he said nervously .
    Kaal grinned. “Luckily for you, Mars is one of the most famous planets in the universe. I know its number by heart.