The Alien Brainwash by H. Badger Page A

I could miss my shot at the Shield of Honour!
    Space Scouts earned one Planetary Point for exploring a planet. A promising discovery earned them two points. The scout who discovered the next Earth would win the ultimate prize – the Shield of Honour. The winner got the glory, plus a mansion on the new Earth with a rocket-skiing trip to Pluto thrown in.
    Winning the shield would be awesome, Kip thought. But rescuing Zara’s a big deal, and it’s a chance to prove myself to the other scouts.
    Kip looked around to say goodbye to his parents, but they had disappeared into the crowd. He messaged them instead.
    They were used to Kip leaving suddenly on missions, so they wouldn’t mind.
    Kip wanted to get into space as soon as possible. No matter how many missions he went on, space travel was always exciting!

CHAPTER 2
    Just outside the insect display was a lift.
    The ride to the roof took 0.1 seconds. Kip watched a MicroAd for his favourite snack on the lift’s 3D TV.

    Kip usually started missions by getting himself to the Intergalactic Hoverport. His starship MoNa was docked there. But this time, he had a ride.
    When the lift doors opened, a squat, shiny green WorldCorp robot was waiting for Kip on the roof. It had red flashing eyes with buttons arranged in a smile. Beside the robot, Kip saw what looked like a giant two-metre-high spring.
    â€˜Greetings, Kip Kirby!’ the robot chirped. It circled Kip’s feet, herding him toward the spring. ‘This will be FUN!’
    Kip raised one eyebrow. The robot was obviously set to XTreme Positive mode. How annoying!
    A section in the top of the robot’s head flipped open. It took out a brand-new green spacesuit, helmet and spaceboots from inside, and then handed them to Kip.

    WorldCorp Handlerbot: XTreme Positive mode
    Kip didn’t have his own space gear with him. He wasn’t expecting to leave on a mission today!
    As he suited up, Kip had a closer look at the giant spring. There were straps inside for each of Kip’s wrists and ankles.
    â€˜Climb in and buckle up!’ bleeped the robot.
    Kip climbed into the spring and stretched out his arms and legs. The straps closed around his ankles and wrists. In a second, Kip was strapped inside the spring in a star-jump position.
    â€˜This is WorldCorp’s all-new Space-Bounder,’ the robot explained, its lights flashing excitedly. ‘It’s the latest innovation in environmentally friendly travel, and the fastest way to get to the Hoverport. Specially designed for urgent missions!’
    Kip spotted a metal plaque screwed inside the spring.
    WorldCorp SpaceBounder

    1. SpaceBounder will be activated by your WorldCorp Handlerbot.
    2. SpaceBounder will launch over the edge of the Inner Eight Zoo building.
    3. SpaceBounder will hit Impact Zone on the ground below.
    4. SpaceBounder will spring upwards into space.
    Kip’s eyes narrowed. His Space Scout training had taught him to question everything. Especially jumping off tall buildings!
    The Impact Zone was a target painted on the ground. What if Kip missed and landed somewhere else? Someone could be seriously hurt. It sounded more dangerous than the mission itself!
    It was a very long way down from the top of the building. Kip decided to ask the easiest question first. ‘Er, how exactly will the SpaceBounder know when I’ve arrived at the Hoverport?’
    â€˜Relax!’ chirped the robot. ‘This Space-Bounder is designed so that someone your weight will spring up to the exact height of the Hoverport. The straps will automatically release when you arrive.’
    The robot probably knows what it’s doing, Kip told himself. Doesn’t it?
    â€˜In testing, this prototype worked over 99 per cent of the time!’ chirped the robot. ‘Come on, hurry up!’
    â€˜Prototype?’ Kip repeated. ‘You mean, this thing isn’t even –’
    AAAHHHHH!
    The SpaceBounder automatically launched Kip