Space Station Rat Read Online Free Page B

came to the central air shaft. It was like a gigantic toilet-paper tube. It went from all the way out to all the way in . Lightbulbs set in rows blurred into a fuzzy glow far from Rat. The walls were covered with pipes and wires. Some pipes crisscrossed from one side to the other.
    Rat paused to gather her nerve. She did not like crossing to the other side. Of course, she had crossed it dozens of times already—and it was much easier without holding on to a liverwurst. Still, crossing was scary. Out ended in a big fan that blew air into the vents. A grate covered the blades, to protect humans, not rats. If Rat fell, she would go right through the grate. Then chop-chop-chop …
    Rat shivered from nerves and cold. The wind made it too cold to stand there hesitating. With careful steps, she climbed out onto the nearest pipe. The air rushed and roared. It blew her fur all the wrong way. That annoyed Rat. She walked as fast as she dared. Her tail bobbed, just touching the surface of the pipe, ready to wrap around it quick if she slipped. In the middle of the central shaft, the thin pipe connected to a big fat one. This pipe was so big, it was practically flat for a rat. Rat scurried on the broad metal curve of the pipe, confident. Soon she was moving through a quiet and cozy air shaft again.
    Rat heard voices. They echoed along the shaft connected to the recreation room. It must be family time. Rat went to see.
    Nanny, the boy, and his parents were there. The mother was saying, “No bad behavior? What’s gotten into you? I mean, how nice! Isn’t it nice, Greg?”
    â€œUmmm … I guess. I’m still annoyed about this, though,” the father said. He shook the plastic bag he was holding. The shredded bits of paper inside flashed yellow. They looked like kernels of corn.
    â€œI said I was sorry.” The boy crossed his arms.
    â€œNanny is concerned,” said Nanny. “The boy is spending sixty-two point three percent of his time in his room. Nanny cannot go into his room. Nanny does not know what the boy is doing.”
    The boy said, “I’m e-mailing. I’ve got a pen pal.”
    â€œOh darling, that is nice,” said the mother. She glanced at her watch. “What a relief you’ve found something to occupy you just now. There’s less than twenty-four hours until solar maximum.”
    The father said, “It’s so exciting, Jeff. You should come to the lab and see. We’re about to look into the heart of the sun!”
    The boy flushed red. “Don’t you want to know about my pen pal?”
    â€œThe boy cannot have a pen pal,” Nanny said. “I monitor all communications. The boy has received no e-mail messages in the past six days.”
    â€œI have, too!” The boy stomped his foot. “Nanny is lying!”
    â€œMy report is accurate. I have records—”
    The mother fluttered her hands in front of Nanny’s glowing green eye. “Oh, no, no more paper!”
    â€œI have the e-mail! Come see! Come on!”
    The father looked at his watch. “We don’t have time for—”
    â€œNanny’s wrong wrong wrong!” the boy shouted. “Come see! Your stupid Sun will last a billion years!”
    â€œJeff, I won’t have—” the mother began to say.
    The loudspeaker on the wall filled the room with the captain’s voice. “Attention! All science personnel. Attention! Report immediately to the cafeteria. And bring that boy!”
    Nanny’s glowing eye swiveled to look at the boy. The parents looked at the boy. The boy bit his lip. They all left the room.
    Rat followed them by her secret ways. The closer she got to the cafeteria, the stronger the smell of human became. There were no nice food smells. The sound of many boots moving and a steady beat of words surrounded Rat. Grumble-grumble-grumble. The scientists were bothered. They were busy and important and annoyed by the