The Challenge Read Online Free Page A

to the central computer. When he finished, he turned to Tessa to find her staring at him.
    “Is your world like Earth?” she asked.
    “Not anymore.” He gestured for her to join him at the console. “I imagine Earth is similar to the Rystan of my great-great-grandfather’s generation—before our people set off weapons that caused a nuclear winter. Now our world’s covered in snow.”
    “I’m sorry. It must have been terrible.”
    “After the atomics were set off, billions of people died. We still suffer from a permanent winter. Life is harsh. Food scarce. Our population is dwindling due to food shortages. Trade with the Federation remains limited due to our lack of natural resources in the non-radioactive regions. Your people have been wiser. Yet, while you haven’t destroyed yourselves in a nuclear disaster, you have polluted your planet.” He tapped a control. Earth filled a viewscreen.
    Tessa gasped. “That’s not Earth.”
    “It’s Earth three hundred years in your future.”
    Tessa’s dark eyebrows narrowed as she stared. “The planet has the same familiar continents, but the clouds are supposed to be white, not this filthy brown haze. Your cartographer got it wrong. My world has sparkling blue oceans, not brown sludge.”
    If she refused to believe what was plainly before her eyes, he had a huge problem. “Stars! I was assured that your mind was not inferior like your body. Can you not accept the obvious?”
    She flung a black lock of hair from her eyes and scowled at him, seemingly not the least bit intimidated by his size and acting as if he’d insulted her, instead of stating a truth. “Since I’m so inferior, I suggest you choose another candidate.””
    “I would be happy to do so but, the choice is not mine to make.”
    She glared at him, then at the image of her planet. “I don’t believe my people would ‘volunteer’ my services without at least asking first. The Secret Service doesn’t work that way and neither does the United States government. My country has a large pool of patriots and skilled specialists willing to risk their lives for a worthy mission. It’s not our way to force people into taking on an assignment.”
    “Your world has changed—and not for the better.” Impressed by her defense of her people and her obvious loyalty, he refrained from reiterating that the major pollution problems over the ensuing centuries had made her people desperate. Those problems could be fixed by a Challenge win, which would allow her world to trade for technology to clean their skies and oceans. He thought the Earthlings fools for ruining their once-beautiful planet as his own ancestors had destroyed Rystan with atomics, leaving his people with one tenth of Earth’s natural resources.
    She rested her hands on her hips. “You’re right that I need to see Earth up close. Anyone can fake a voice transmission on a vidscreen.”
    Kahn had permission to land his shuttle on the helicopter pad of the White House and set down smoothly. Accustomed to the comings and going of shuttles from Earth’s orbital space stations, the inhabitants paid no special attention to their landing. Since Kahn didn’t wish to attract an audience, he changed the transparency of her suit and altered the style to match those of her world. She glanced down, noting the transformation, but didn’t say anything.
    “Ready?” Kahn unlocked the hatch, his heart heavy at what she must now face.
    She nodded, her eyes bright and eager. He popped open the hatch and watched her stride out head high, shoulders back, her well-proportioned, lean legs taking the steps two at a time.
    Even with the pollution, he envied the riches he saw. Birds flying overhead. Plants. Buildings and vehicles created with metals and glass and heated with natural fuels.
    She stopped, her eyes wide with displeasure. “The White House isn’t brown.”
    “I’m sorry, but the acid rains have altered the facade of your ‘White House.’“
    She