Read Online The Nerdy Dozen #2 by Jeff Miller - Free Book Online Page A

computer and stood up as Neil and Biggs were helped out from the pool.

    â€œA huge key to being an astronaut is always thinking. Always being ready,” Finch instructed, tapping a few buttons on his laptop. “And to—”
    â€œAlways ask questions,” Neil and Biggs said in unison.
    â€œWe know,” added Neil.
    â€œNicely done, Andertol,” said Finch, preparing the simulation for the next pair of gamers. “Can’t say I’ve ever seen an EVA quite like that, but the point is you passed. With flying colors, might I add.”
    Neil blushed. He felt ready. For what, he wasn’t sure, but ready nonetheless.
    â€œDallas is still running simulations, so now’s a good time for a nap. Go get some rest; we’ve got a planet to save.”
    â€œSee you up in the main SQUID, Neil. I’m beat.” Biggs walked off ahead, hoping to add the new gestures to The Universal Biggs Language before collapsing onto his bunk.
    Neil nodded and confidently walked up to the central hub of the SQUID. But as he headed for the guys’ bunks, he repeated what Finch just said.
    What does he mean, “a planet to save”? Aren’t we looking for a ship?

“EVERYONE UP! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!” CAME AN EXPLOSIVE voice that echoed through every tentacle of the SQUID. It belonged to Dallas Bowdin, and it was interrupting some fantastic deep-sea shut-eye. Neil tried to wake up, but his eyes were stuck shut, refusing to open. Between eyelashes, he spied flashing blue emergency lights dotting the ceiling of the interior of the NASA complex. They pulsed on and off, twirling like tiny police sirens.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” asked a confused and groggy Biggs. “Aliens? Is it aliens?”

    â€œUm, no. Not yet, at least.” Neil sat up in bed and rubbed his eyelids with clenched fists. His eyes stung looking at his watch, which read 03:51.
    â€œYou guys want some questions? I’ve got a few,” said a yawning Neil. “I’m beginning to question your guys’ approach to a wake-up call. A fella needs time for a nice morning bag of dehydrated juice.”
    â€œHurry up. It’s our missing ship, the Newt ,” said Dallas from outside the room, heading to the center of the SQUID. Neil and Biggs scrambled to follow, with the others trailing behind. They had gotten into their bunks shortly after Neil and Biggs, and they wore the same exhausted expressions.
    Dallas was waiting for the group with a few papers clutched in her hands. The fleet of NASA technicians bustled around her, heading to and from the Ray ’s air lock. Sam and Corinne appeared from the girls’ barracks, wearing matching baggy gray NASA T-shirts.
    â€œSo no continental breakfast?” asked a cranky Neil of Dallas. The kitchen counter was empty, and his stomach grumbled. Even bad hotels offered a few free bagels in the morning.

    â€œWe’ll get you a zero-gravity granola bar,” said Sam. “They found our ship.”
    Neil’s eyebrows arched in surprise, and he turned toward Dallas, his eyes finally adjusting to the crisp LED lighting.
    â€œThe Newt is hiding in a pile of floating junk. Whoever it is that hacked our whole system did the same to all our online satellites, and they figured they wouldn’t be seen,” explained Dallas to her group of tired recruits.
    â€œBut they forgot about one, the Hubble. The space telescope had a camera installed years ago that transmitted photos back over a dedicated fax line.”
    â€œWhat’s a ‘fax’?” asked Biggs.
    â€œIt’s a facsimile transmission device. Old-school. It’s how we received this.” Dallas held up a piece of paper, which showed a blurry, pixelated patch of debris. “Right there is the Newt ,” she said, pointing to a glob of black ink with the tip of a red pen. It barely looked like anything, let alone a top-of-the-line spacecraft. “Now