Read Across The Universe With A Giant Housecat (The Blue) for Free Online Page B

caught. They wanted me for the Stellar Intrepid. Sure, I wasn’t a captain, but to still be part of the Stellar Intrepid…
    “You have an interesting talent, being a Space Reader. And even without that, you would still have caught our eye. You exposed the assassin plot, took down their leader, Trilloque, and rescued a large number of children imprisoned on Mitio.”
    Yes, I had done all of that, but I had nearly been killed in the process. Multiple times. “Sir, it wasn’t all heroics. I got thrown from a moving spacecraft and nearly died.”
    “Yes, and you kept going. Alan, when our people picked up those children you rescued, they collected reports from everyone involved.”
    “I know, sir. They had me give a report, as well.”
    “I read those reports. People speak highly of you, Alan Michael Wolf. You have this tenacity that I admire. You’re an ordinary lad who has done extraordinary things.   So, pending a clean bill of health, are you in or not?”
    “Yes, sir! It would be an honor. That is, if I can make some sort of arrangements for my sister. I don’t know if she should come with us, or—”
    “Arrangements are being made for her as we speak. I noted you have a kyvat, too.”
    “He’s used to life in space. He won’t be a bother if he stays with me.”
    “Very well. He can stay. You can talk to your sister first before you say yes to my offer. If you agree, you and my other Space Reader will be shipping out in one week, when the ship arrives here. I want to keep you two together—you’re the only two known Space Readers. My hope is that you can help each other out and learn from each other.”
    “There’s another Space Reader?” I blurted.  
    While Katelyn and I had been traveling, I had done some research on Space Readers. Evidently, before I had gotten my hands on all the Blue Star, several corrupt researchers had tried to test it on unsuspecting groups of people. Hundreds had died or had other reactions to the Blue Star, but about five or six of the test subjects had become Space Readers. These few had been tested over and over to determine what in their genetic makeup had made them Space Readers. One of the tests had accidentally killed them all.
    Until now, I had been sure I was the only Space Reader alive.
    “Yes. One with a different background than yourself. Very different. You’ll meet her very soon—you’ll be going on a mission together.”
    “A mission, sir?”
    “Alan, your situation is very unique. The Blue Star substance is very new, so that makes you Space Readers a new phenomenon. To put it bluntly, we have no idea how to train you, or even what training you need. So we’ve arranged for you to accompany one of our ships on a mission, as observers. In addition, we’ve built an onboard training room for the two of you, with stellar maps and everything you will need to test out your new… talents.”
    A mission? I could burst with anticipation. This was turning out far better than I could have hoped! “What mission, sir?”
    “Captain Keene of the Indomitable will brief you on that. They are due to dock here early next week. All I can tell you is that it is in deep space—it will take five weeks of travel just to reach the site. Your training partner will meet you when they dock.” He cleared his throat. “Oh, and Alan? She isn’t military and she’ll be completely out of her element. You may have to help her adjust to a few things.”
    “Of course, sir.”
    “That is all.”
    I left Northe’s office on feet that felt like they were immune to gravity. This was wonderful news! I was in the Stellar Intrepid! And going on a mission, something I never expected to get to do for years , if ever.
    And all I had to do was have a decent bill of health in the form of a successful removal of the medical vest. So simple, yet something I had frustratingly little control over.
    I found Katelyn in our apartment, nervously pacing back and forth.
    “Alan!” she cried as I