Renegade World: Future Past Read Online Free Page A

arrows and stuck them into the
turf. She set up and stared at the target. Then she grabbed the first arrow and
started firing. At thirty seconds, she had fired seven, but only four of them
were in the center circle. She continued firing, but
her accuracy dropped. Her thirteenth arrow missed the outer circle as time ran out.
    As Erica walked down to retrieve her arrows, she pumped her
fist and announced, “I beat you, I scored a 93.”
    After Erica returned, Rebeka Lee adjusted her quiver and
stepped to the line. She fired arrow after arrow into the center circle. Her fourteenth
arrow just touched the center circle, and time ran out just as she released her
final arrow. “That one was a split second too late.”
    Aaron exclaimed, “Wow! That was awesome! I hope I can shoot
like that someday.”
    Rebeka Lee put her arms around both of their shoulders.
“Practice, practice, and more practice. That's what it takes.” She sighed,
“Enough fun, I've got to get back to chores.”
     “Rebeka Lee, is it OK if we bring someone to watch us?
She's too young to shoot, but she really wants to watch.”
    “Sure, Aaron. Just make sure she stays safely out of the
way.”
    N aami finished the exercises that Aaron had shown her.
Other than squat jumps, she didn't feel like the others were helping her
jump higher at all. She had been doing them every other day for two weeks.  Abraham,
do you think it would help if I held weights while I did calf raises and step-ups?
    Yes, as long as you don't injure yourself.  I recommend
that you start with small weights and then increase the size of the weights.
    I'll start with the six-kilo dumbbell from my mom's
compact dumbbell set. Does that seem OK?
    Try it next time, and see how you feel the next day.
    I'll do that. Climbing onto the trampoline, she
started jumping, willing herself to go higher on every bounce.
    I estimate that you are going several inches higher
today than the day that Aaron showed you how to bounce.
    Really?
    Yes. I stored video while you were jumping that day. I
can't be precise, but I estimate you are jumping at least two inches higher
today.
    I guess two inches is better than no increase, but it’s
not very much.
    It may take years to go as high as you want. You need to-
    Don't tell me to be patient again! I hate that word.
    She threw her herself into the routine of tricks that she
had learned. The tricks included the ones that Aaron had taught her plus the backdrop,
the half twist to a backdrop, a backdrop to a front drop, a front drop to a backdrop,
and a cradle. She had viewed many video clips that showed each new trick
before trying the trick herself. Each day, she and Abraham analyzed video from
four remote cameras and compared the video of her to the video clips. She
usually made a few adjustments based on the comparisons.
    She also had viewed videos on the back pullover, front somersault,
and back somersault. Though she was eager to try them, Abraham put his virtual
foot down. Even you should have a spotter when you do those tricks! Should
you go against my advice, my protocol requires that I inform your parents.
    Naami looked across into Aaron's yard hoping to see him but
was disappointed. She thought about sending a connection request but decided asking
in person would be more persuasive. She climbed down from the trampoline and
walked over to the back door of his house. As she started to knock, the door
opened.
    Aaron looked surprised.  “Hi, Naami. What's up?”
    “Can you teach me some new tricks on the trampoline?
Please!” She batted her eyes.
    Aaron checked his schedule. “I guess I have about a half
hour before I need to leave for basketball.”
    As they walked over to her yard, Naami boasted, “I bet I
can surprise you!” She climbed up onto the tramp and showed Aaron the new tricks
that she had learned on her own.
    “Very good! Who taught you those?”
    “I taught myself. Will you spot me on a back pullover, front
somersault, and back