Evil Star Read Online Free

The ship’s plan on the control panel glowed as the Phoenix was transformed. Schurrrpt! The ship gained algae-growing generators and swimming pools. Peri pressed more buttons to add a solar-sampler unit, fully functioning astro-labs and a gymnasium. The Phoenix was now one hundred times bigger, but Peri activated even more Expansion Packs. Firing ranges, manufacturing rooms and moon-buggy racing tracks appeared on the plan. The display of corridors and compartments was dazzling.
    The tangled laser-wire contracted tighter, but the Phoenix kept on growing. Peri pushed the last Expansion Pack button. The ship reached its maximum capacity.
    Ting-ting! Peri and his crew stood still as they listened to the strange noise echoing through the Bridge. Ting-ting-ting-ting! It sounded like the laser-wire was stretching. Ting-ting-ting! The Phoenix shuddered under the strain. TING-PING-PING!
    KRRRAAACCCKKKK! Peri covered his ears as an almighty noise ripped through the Bridge. He gripped the control panel to steady himself as the ship shook. Peri saw the laser-wire recoil into the Astro-Void. The StellarTrip had snapped and was throwing stars spiralling off into space.
    Peri and the others cheered, but the sound was drowned out by the howling of sirens. Angry red letters flashed across the 360-monitor: Hazard Alert! He checked the scanners. Part of the StellarTrip was spinning towards the Phoenix on a collision course!
    Peri slammed a button to collapse all the Expansion Packs, which vanished in seconds.
    ‘Let’s go,’ he said, smacking the pyramid-shaped button to activate the engines.
    As the ship shunted forward, Diesel yelled, ‘Peri! Port side!’
    On Peri’s left, a gigantic snake-like whip of laser-wire and exploding stars was smashing towards the Phoenix .
    Peri slammed on the dodge mechanism, sending the Phoenix sliding sideways to starboard. The snake of stars swept harmlessly past.
    ‘Hold on,’ Peri yelled as the stars spun around to strike again. He yanked the Nav-wheel hard. The Phoenix swept up and around as the StellarTrip sliced close to one side, then the other.
    There’s no way to outrun it , he realised.
    There was only one option left. He’d have to turn the whip’s power against itself.
    ‘What are you doing?’ Diesel and Otto shrieked in horror, as Peri turned the Phoenix in the direction of the StellarTrip.
    ‘Trust me!’ Peri yelled. As the fiery whip curled up and lashed out, he yanked down the thrusters. The Phoenix soared ahead, pulling the whip along in their space-wake. Peri turned and twisted the Nav-wheel, sending the ship in a wide loop and setting the whip on a collision course with itself, then he jerked the ship straight up and out of the way.
    Shaannaa-baaaam! The whip snapped, tearing itself apart, sending stars flying off in all directions.
    ‘ Mars’rakk!? ’ Diesel cheered as he high-fived Peri.
    Behind them, Selene and Jaxx were punching the air.
     

     
    But Otto was staring up at the 360-monitor. Peri could tell from the look on the Meigwor’s face that they weren’t out of trouble yet.

 
    Chapter 5
     
    ‘There’s another trap!’ Otto boomed.
    Peri turned to look, but all he could see between the Phoenix and the shimmering blue planet was blackness. He slammed on the turbo-brakes and brought their ship to a complete halt. ‘What do you mean there’s another trap, Otto?’
    ‘We’re in deadly trouble!’ Otto said. ‘It’s a dark-matter trapdoor!’
    ‘I don’t see anything,’ Diesel scoffed.
    Otto flicked his black tongue towards Diesel’s face. ‘It’s made of dark matter ! It wouldn’t be a very good trap if it was visible to the eyes of inferior life forms!’
    ‘But the Exo-Scanner should detect it,’ Selene said. She twisted a zip-dial and a monitor whirled from the control panel. The thermal image of the area revealed nothing. ‘Are you sure there’s something there, Otto? I’ve adjusted the wavelength range, but there’s no sign of