Asteroid Crisis: Star Challengers Book 3 Read Online Free

it across the table at a striped ball until they clicked together. The cue ball stopped rolling, and the striped ball started moving toward the other side of the table. “They both have an effect on each other: The cue ball was rolling, but when it hit the other ball that was the same size, shape, and weight, it stopped rolling, and the other one started.”
    “Right, but it gets a lot more complicated. Like, what if both things are moving and they hit each other, or what if an object just hits the edge of the other object instead of hitting it head-on—”
    Dyl shifted his weight on his crutches. “Or what if something big and heavy like a car hits something small and squishy, like a kid on a bike? Now that’s complicated!”
    JJ winced, and Tony said, “I don’t think anyone can calculate that.”
    Surprisingly, Song-Ye said, “Science can’t measure emotional impact. At least not by Newton’s laws.”
    “Let’s keep it simple then,” King said. “What if we roll two billiard balls at each other from opposite sides of the table, and one of them’s rolling faster than the other? What happens when they hit?”
    JJ said. “If they have exactly the same mass, the one that’s going faster should have a little more effect on the one that’s going slower.” She slammed a green six ball against a black eight ball. The eight ball was moving a little faster and bounced the six ball away a little farther.
    “Okay,” Dyl slid his notecards back into his pocket. “Then I guess I’m done with extra credit for the day. Show us how to play pool.”
    Song-Ye picked up her pool cue again. “Watch and learn.”
    ***

Three
    Tony’s father offered to drive JJ and Dyl to the Challenger Center on Saturday for their next mission. Weekends were the only days Tony could help out there, because he had gymnastics practice after school five nights a week. Mr. Vasquez was pleased to see his son spending so much time with a good student like JJ, who helped him with math, and JJ certainly liked being with Tony.
    “Because of your assistance, Ms. Wren, Tony’s getting much better grades in algebra. And I can’t believe how hard he’s been working on his new science project.” He turned into the Challenger Center parking lot.
    JJ’s heart raced when she saw the Challenger Center building—either from anticipation of adventure or because Tony rode beside her in the back seat of his father’s Lexus sedan, while Dyl sat in front. “What science project?” she asked.
    Tony looked sheepish. “It’s a new robot. I’m going to enter it into the science fair. It, uh, was going to be a surprise.”
    Dyl turned around from the front seat. “Is that one of your TNT’s—Three New Things?”
    “Actually, this project has a lot more than three new things—I had to learn about circuitry, motors and engines, remote controls, receivers,” Tony said. “But I don’t think Commander Zota wanted us to limit ourselves.”
    “Can’t wait to see it,” JJ said. “Does the robot do anything useful?”
    “I’m programming it to fill Spike’s water and food dish at regular intervals.”
    “Wow, feeding your dog? That’ll save the world,” Dyl teased.
    “Don’t think small, Junior,” Tony shot back. “It’ll save me time so that I can save the world.”
    “Only Song-Ye gets to call me Junior,” Dyl muttered. “And I’m sure she’ll do that in a few minutes.”
    “I think it’s great, Tony,” JJ said. “If you could build me a robot that would clean the bathroom and vacuum our apartment for me, then I’d have extra time and we could save the world together.”
    “You kids crack me up.” Dr. Vasquez pulled up to the front of the Challenger Center. “I’ll pick you up here late this afternoon. Call me if you’re ready sooner.”
    “We’ve got a lot of work to do,” JJ said. “I doubt we’ll be done early. Thanks for the ride, Dr. Vasquez.”
    They all piled out of the car. JJ held the door while Dyl adjusted