Project X-Calibur Read Online Free Page A

shirt?”
    â€œVery funny. No,
you.
No offense, but you
stink
at being an eight-year-old! Just admit it. You’re a lizard or something under that little kid disguise!”
    The kid’s face twisted into a flabbergasted scowl. “I assure—I mean, I’m
not
a lizard.”
    I looked into those strange eyes of his. The craziest thing was, I
did
trust him. So I let my guard down. A little bit, anyway.
    â€œI still need answers.”
    â€œWe have a weapon,” he said pointedly. “We think it’s potentially the
greatest
weapon humankind has ever had in its possession. And we believe that tapping into this weapon’s . . . abilities . . . is the surest way to protect Earth.”
    Hmm. Now we’re getting somewhere.
    â€œWhat kind of weapon?”
    â€œI’d rather not say yet, and before you question that, let me explain. I need your mind to be open, without preconceived notions of what you’re about to do. It’s imperative for this . . . project . . . to be a success.”
    â€œWhat exactly
am
I about to do?”
    The kid took a step toward me. This time I stood my ground.
    â€œTravel to London and begin your training.”
    Whoa. I definitely didn’t see that coming.
    â€œTraining for what?”
    â€œTo protect Earth from the coming threat.”
    â€œWhat about school? What about my mom?” I felt a little dizzy.
    The kid just watched me with a little smile.
    â€œTake a look around.” He held out an arm. “This will be Earth if we don’t stop what’s coming. Your school, your friends, your teachers . . .” He trailed off, but I got the point.
    I looked off at the destruction in the distance. These poor beings had probably lived lives very much like ours.
    â€œYou’re sure I can help stop this from happening?” My voice trembled. The kid, too short to reach my shoulder, patted my elbow.
    â€œI’m sure,” he replied softly. If there was a chance I could prevent this from happening to Earth, then I had to take it.
    The kid was looking at me with wide, hopeful eyes, waiting for my answer. I took a deep breath. The cold wind felt like daggers, but I didn’t mind. I needed the jolt to say what I was about to say.
    â€œOkay. I’m in.”

5
    138:54:37
    â€œYES, OF COURSE. I’m so proud of him, thank you,” my mother gushed into the phone, “but if you don’t mind my asking—why such short notice?”
    I stood a few feet away, leaning against our kitchen counter. Mom was in her waitress uniform and had already worked a morning and afternoon shift. Today was her day to work a split, but she’d be home for another hour.
    â€œOh, you did?” She covered the bottom half of the phone.
“Where’s the mail from yesterday?”
she whispered.
    I rushed into the foyer to a cluttered table. I grabbed the stack of envelopes, then bolted back and handed it to her. Her eyes widened when she found what she was looking for.
    â€œYou know what,” she said into the phone, her cheeks turning red, “I’m sorry, it did come. Sometimes it takes me a few days to get around to—”
    She stopped talking. I moved closer to get a look. The envelope had a fancy crest on it and said THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. I could hear the guy talking to Mom on the other end of the line now. He had a deep voice and a British accent.
    â€œI appreciate that, yes,” Mom was saying. “I’m sure Ben will be thrilled. Again, thank you. Good day to you, too.” Then she hung up.
    â€œWhat was that about?” I asked.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me about placing first in your school science fair?” she said, hands on her hips.
    Uh . . .
    â€œI guess I forgot.”
    She tore into the envelope. “The man on the phone said it was some kind of
worldwide
science fair. Did your science teacher know