Alien Jungle Read Online Free Page B

about her mission,” Natica said.
    “Oh, you should have been there.” Impani’s green eyes widened. “There were mermaids, and giant squids, and a city at the bottom of a lake.”
    Trace laughed. “How did you find a city down there?”
    “We were jetting across the water, and a huge creature reached up and snagged me.”
    “Must’ve been a sizable lake to hold an animal like that.”
    “It was. Couldn’t even scan the other side.”
    “Wait a minute,” Natica said. “You tried to cross a body of water when you couldn’t tell how wide it was? Pani, you know better than that.”
    “That’s what they said in debriefing. But, honestly. If I hadn’t gone across the lake, the squid wouldn’t have dragged me under, and I would never have seen the city. Right?” Impani looked back and forth at them.
    He chuckled. “You are unshakable.”
    “Yes, I am.” She snuggled against his side. “It appears that you and I have a bit of free time.”
    “Is that so?” he murmured, slipping his arm about her.
    “Both of us came back early. We shouldn’t have another mission lined up for at least another day.” Her bright eyes took on a mischievous glint. “Want to do something fun?”
    “Well, let’s see.” He frowned as if thinking hard. “We could spend the morning in the gym. Maybe get in a little target practice this afternoon.”
    Both Impani and Natica groaned.
    “Or,” Trace said, “we could have lunch at that art museum you’re so fond of visiting.”
    Impani beamed, and for a moment, he was lost in the perfection of her face, the warmth of her body next to his.
    “Trace. There you are.” Davrileo Mas jogged to their table. “Mr. Arkenstone wants to see you in his office. Now.”
    “Why? What’s up?” he blurted, louder than he’d intended.
    “I’m just the messenger.” Davrileo raised his hands and walked away.
    Trace set his teeth against a knot of trepidation. He met Natica’s gaze.
    “It’s probably nothing.” Her voice was grave.
    “What?” asked Impani. “What’s going on?”
    “I’d better find out.” He slid from the booth. “Keep me penciled in for lunch, all right?”
    He exited the cafeteria, shoulders hunched as if a big red arrow hung over his head. He knew why Arkenstone summoned him. No doubt, a formal reprimand would be placed on his record, his first and last mission as team leader. He frowned as he imagined Robert Wilde’s face when he heard the news.
    Trace had never been in the Program Director’s office, never took advantage of Arkenstone’s open-door policy. Other Scouts had. Impani was practically on a first-name basis—but Trace didn’t feel comfortable with authority figures. Too soon, he reached the office. He leaned against the wall and wiped his clammy hands on his tunic. With a shuddering breath, he entered. A holographic portrait of an ocean dominated the room. The waves rolled, and as he watched, a boat sailed into view.
    He approached a woman behind a desk. “Nice holo.”
    “Makes me dizzy. Can I help you?”
    “I’m Trace Hanson. Mr. Arkenstone wanted to see me.”
    She nodded toward an open door. “He’s waiting for you in the conference room.”
    Trace approached the room. He knocked on the doorframe. Three men stood from a circular table. One was Mr. Arkenstone. Trace had met him on several occasions but always in a group setting, so he was surprised when the Director called him by name.
    “Come in, Trace.” Arkenstone motioned with a sweep of his arm. “This is Mr. Dunlop of the Supervisory Board.”
    Dunlop leaned forward to shake Trace’s hand.
    “And this is Mr. King, Inspector General of the Federation,” Arkenstone said.
    Trace paused. A government official? He must be in more trouble than he thought. With a stoic nod, he shook Mr. King’s hand.
    Arkenstone closed the door. “Sit down.”
    Stiffly, Trace pulled out a chair. He felt far away, as if in a dream. Focus, he told himself. But inside he quailed. If he washed