Blue's Revenge Read Online Free Page A

too.’ Linden blew a strand of hair from his eyes and let loose one of his smiles. ‘We wouldn’t want to work for anyone else.’
    A loud sniff sounded behind them. ‘Me too, sir.’ Steinberger was doing very badly at hiding an urge to cry. ‘The agency would be a mere shadow of itself if it wasn’t for your leadership.’
    Now it was Harrison’s turn to get all teary.
    â€˜Permission to hug you, sir?’ Steinberger asked.
    â€˜Permission granted,’ Harrison replied.
    The two men moved in and, with Harrison’s bandaged arm nestled between them, they hugged firmly, sniffing into each other’s shoulders.
    Max shuffled awkwardly. ‘I think we’d better leave.’
    The two men untangled themselves. ‘Yes. Of course.’ Harrison took out a hanky with his one good arm and blew his nose. ‘Sorry about that. Things have been a little … emotional … since the sleeping sickness almost, well … almost saw our end.’ 2
    Harrison gathered up a smile. ‘But you’re right. It’s time for school. Sleek is waiting in the VART to take you there.’
    Max was relieved the two men had pulled themselves together. She wasn’t good at displays of emotion and wasn’t planning on changing that any time soon.
    Harrison and Steinberger escorted Max and Linden to the Vehicular All-Response Tower, the hangar where all the Spyforce vehicles were kept. Once inside, Max stopped to say a final goodbye. ‘Sir? What about Blue?’
    â€˜Blue is safely behind bars.’
    But Max knew he was holding back and gave him a look that told him she wasn’t going anywhere until she heard more.
    â€˜Sir, we can handle whatever you have to say.’
    Harrison knew the boundless reaches of Blue’s brilliant mind and his capacity for evil. Even though he was safely locked away, they would be foolish to underestimate his intelligence or his determination to get what he wanted. Harrison reluctantly continued.
    â€˜After your mission in the Amazon, I believe Blue will not rest until he has had a chance to …’ He paused, searching for the right words. ‘To get his revenge.’
    This last sentence fell between them like a wrecking ball cracking against steel.
    â€˜Do you know if he is planning anything?’ Linden held his silver medallion close to his chest.
    â€˜No, but he is being held in a maximum security prison and the second he breaks even the smallest rule, we will be immediately notified.’
    The squeal of a loudspeaker system shot out above them.
    â€˜This is your captain speaking. Express flight to Sydney courtesy of the Invisible Jet is ready for take-off. Please board the plane, take your seats and settle in for a new and improved ride through the skies.’
    â€˜Is the Invisible Jet fixed?’ Linden looked behind him at where the jet would be if he could see it.
    â€˜The crash landing in the Amazon gave it quite a nasty makeover but Sleek has been working night and day to repair it.’ Steinberger proudly gazed at the seemingly empty space where the jet was parked. ‘He has outdone himself this time. It is faster, more fuel efficient, and quieter on take-offs and landings. But I’m afraid there’s still the Automatic People Sanitiser.’
    Max groaned. The Sanitiser was a balloon-walled room at the entrance of the jet that acted as an all-over human vacuum cleaner. After its passengers were jostled, bounced and cleaned, it felt like they’d had their brains sucked out. Or at least that’s how Max felt.
    â€˜We thought after your mission in Morocco you’d be grateful of the jet’s hearty meals and time to rest before school,’ Harrison explained.
    Linden’s eyes drifted dreamily. ‘Food. Yeah. That’d be great.’
    The loudspeaker squealed again. ‘This is your captain speaking, take-off is in thirty seconds.’
    â€˜Gotta run.’