Read Online Wormhole Pirates on Orbis by P. J. Haarsma - Free Book Online

to a knudnik.”
    Challenge? Labyrinth?
What was he talking about?
    “Whatever you want,” I said. “It’s your ring.”
    “And I will make you act like it,” he seethed, his rotting-flower breath burning my eyes. “Next phase, after the Arbiter allows the start of the new conclave and filth like you is allowed to play, I will
break
you.”
    “I’ll be there,” I said. “May I go now, Mr. Citizen, sir?”
    Dop stared at me, his long neck swaying back and forth. His green eyes said,
Is this knudnik mocking me? Yes, I am, you dumb alien.
But then again, I was really tired.
    Dop and his friends moved aside, and we walked toward the light chutes.
    When we were far enough away, Max said, “What kind of challenge is he talking about?”
    “I don’t think you should do it, JT,” Theodore warned.
    Even Dalton asked, “Are you scared?”
    I wasn’t scared. I could handle Dop. I handled Switzer. But I knew that when I was done with him, there would be another angry Citizen eager to take his place. Pride and ignorance existed everywhere in the universe; I was certain of it.

“It’s a game,” Charlie informed us after we found him in the garden behind our home. “Lots of the kids on Orbis 3 play it. Your Illuminate has a fantastic league. They share the Labyrinth with the professional league; people from all over the ring come to play in that pro league. Citizens can even gamble on the outcome of those matches. It’s very, very competitive, but I think you would really enjoy your school league.”
    “How does the game work?” I asked.
    “If I remember correctly, it’s modeled after a training course used by Space Jumpers when they lived on the ring.”
    “Space Jumpers?”
    Charlie nodded. “Yeah. Would you like to watch a match?”
    “Right now?”
    “The Labyrinth is between here and your Illuminate. Someone is always playing,” he said. “In fact, I believe they are holding trials for the new pro conclave.”
    Everyone wanted to go. It was always fun to see something new on Orbis, and since most of the other kids had witnessed my confrontation with Dop, there was a lot of interest in what I would face in his challenge. We gathered quickly around the light chute and Charlie punched the code for the Labyrinth. We were in front of the stadium instantly. The Labyrinth was only a little shorter than the Illuminate and rose to a point on the left side. The gleaming structure curved behind itself, and huge O-dats loomed over the entrance. The walls of light and sound called out to each of us, selling everything from tetrascopes to trips through the wormhole.
    Charlie pointed to a list of names scrolling on one of the large O-dats. “During a pro conclave,” he informed us, “the contestants play for prize money and prestige, but the school league is simply for fun. A lot of the kids play. Your Illuminate starts a new league next phase, if I’m right. Registration is free to anyone who attends the Illuminate.” Charlie put his hand on Ketheria’s shoulders. “Let me get some tickets so we can sit up high. Then we can get something to eat.”
    I know Ketheria liked Charlie because of his kindness, but she
loved
him for his appreciation of food. Even Nugget poked his head up anytime Charlie spoke of eating. The moment we stepped inside the arena, I could smell the food, and it smelled great. It was like the Birth Days Mother celebrated on the
Renaissance.
Every food imaginable was on display for purchase.
    “Wait, it’s better where we’re going,” he said.
    “You’ve been here before?” Max asked.
    “A couple of times.”
    Aliens shuffled under 3-D holographs of players simulating the game. The light emanating from the images deflected off metal railings that roped around the balcony we were now standing on.
    “Is that the game?” I asked, pointing to the holographs.
    Charlie looked up and said, “No, those are just famous matches from last rotation. I think the new professional season has