The Brainiacs Read Online Free Page B

starting!
    As Kip got closer, he could see the three finalists. There was Zut from Geekatron. Next to her was a young Clevor alien, the wildcard entry. The third finalist was the lizard alien Kip had seen setting fire to chairs earlier.
    â€˜Welcome, finalists,’ Einstein was saying. ‘Especially our wildcard entry, Einstein Jr!’
    â€˜The finalist from Clevor is obviously Einstein’s son,’ Kip whispered to Finbar.
    As Kip and Finbar tried to get closer to the stage, Einstein began the questions. The final was slightly different from the other rounds. There were two different parts and there was no sudden death – contestants got a point for each correct answer, and lost a point for a wrong one. The kid with the most points would win.
    The first question was for Zut.‘Which creature is more venomous, a Flying Shark Spider or a Scorpion-tailed Kitten?’
    Zut spoke immediately. ‘Both are harmless.’
    â€˜Correct,’ said Einstein, scowling. ‘Einstein Jr, which planet is famous for levitating popcorn?’
    â€˜Zonol-B,’ Einstein Jr answered correctly.
    Then it was the lizard alien’s turn, but she answered the question about an alien language containing clicks and beeps incorrectly.
    â€˜That’s negative one point, I’m afraid,’ said Einstein, not looking very sorry.
    The Clevor aliens in the audience waved their tentacles excitedly. Kip and Finbar were almost right at the stage, keeping just out of Einstein’s view.
    Einstein asked each contestant another two questions. At the end of the first round, Clevor and Geekatron were neck and neck at three points each, but the lizard alien was still on negative one.
    â€˜Folks, it’s the moment we’ve been waiting for,’ said Einstein. ‘The Hot One Hundred! I’ll ask a hundred questions at top speed, and contestants buzz in to answer. Anyone could win from here!’
    Casually, Einstein walked over to Einstein Jr. ‘Anyone at all,’ he repeated, patting his son’s back.
    When Einstein stepped away, Finbar turned to Kip, wide-eyed.
    â€˜Did you see that?’ he said. ‘Einstein stuck an electrode to Einstein Jr!’
    If Kip squinted, he could just make out a hair-thin wire leading from the young brainy alien to the flashing orb of energy.
    â€˜Einstein Jr’s brain is going to be boosted with the stolen brain energy!’ Kip guessed.
    Clevor’s cheating was worse than he thought. If Clevor won the quiz unfairly, Kip knew it’d only make Geekatron madder. But if Geekatron won, Einstein would be furious and keep trying to get revenge.
    Geekatron and Clevor were already firing missiles on each other. If something wasn’t done soon, the rivalry could end in interplanetary war!

CHAPTER 9
    â€˜There’s a way out of this,’ Kip said. ‘What if neither planet wins?’
    Finbar frowned. ‘But how? The lizard alien is way out of her depth. She won’t win in a million light years!’
    â€˜I’ll create a distraction,’ Kip said. ‘You sneak onto stage and switch the electrode to the lizard alien.’
    Finbar looked troubled. ‘But won’t that be cheating too?’
    Kip hated cheating. But he couldn’t see any other option. ‘I guess so, but if cheating stops interplanetary war, it’s worth it,’ he answered.
    Then he unzipped his spacesuit and stuffed it into his backpack.
    â€˜What are you doing?’ Finbar whispered.
    Underneath his spacesuit, Kip was wearing his favourite undies. These were no ordinary jocks – they were Rocket Undies. They were made of fine metal mesh and had a single-use jetpack stitched into the back.
    â€˜Space streaking!’ Kip laughed.

    Kip fired up his undies and took off. He sailed about two metres above the ground and over the stage. All at once, the crowd burst out laughing, pointing and taking photos of Kip. It was chaos!
    Einstein