How to Save the Universe in Ten Easy Steps by Allison Rushby

Author:Allison Rushby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2014-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Molly stomps off not long after this, saying she’s going to speak to Mr Gregory about an esteridion disruptor.

Whatever that is.

‘Don’t go anywhere until I come back.’ She points at me as she goes. ‘And you,’ she points at Hale, ‘just … don’t.’

After she’s out of earshot (I have no idea about mindshot), Hale turns to me.

‘Oh dear,’ he says, without all that much emotion. ‘I think she might be what you would call angry with me.’

‘You think?’ I reply.

‘Should we?’ He changes the subject, gesturing around the yard, which turns amazingly green and grassy as his arm sweeps over it, suggesting a stroll. ‘I would have provided this. But we argued. Molly and I had – and still have – differing opinions on how best to approach your situation.’

Hale starts off and I take a quick step or two to catch up with him. We walk in silence for a while and I mull over his words from before. ‘Um, when you say “covered”, you really mean that, don’t you? About the slugs?’

Hale nods. ‘Yes. Completely covered. Which is why Molly has made this extra protective dome. A dome within a bubble. Ridiculous, really.’

I don’t know what to say to this, so we walk in silence for a while, a million questions forming and half forming in my head, all of which I expect Hale can hear, though he’s polite enough not to say anything because I haven’t actually spoken. After we do a lap, however, there’s one question I just can’t seem to shake. ‘I just don’t get it,’ I blurt out.

‘What’s that?’ Hale glances over at me, surely knowing all the time what it is I just don’t get.

‘Why someone would want to end the universe,’ I say.

‘Oh, well, that’s an easy one. To uphold their reputation,’ Hale answers me, as he continues walking along.

‘Their reputation?’ I frown. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Hmmm … how can I explain it?’ Hale looks thoughtful for a moment. ‘You’re familiar with football?’

‘Yeah,’ I answer. Of course I am.

‘Well, these particular individuals have a similar sort of … game, I guess you’d call it. Though it’s more based on intelligence than sport. Still, it’s similar in many ways. Just before you were born, they lost a very important match. As it is, the game lasts around a decade, as you know it.’

‘What?! The one game goes for ten whole years?’

‘Yes. It’s rather … intense.’

‘After ten years, I’m taking it they weren’t happy when they lost.’

‘No.’ Hale nods. ‘When it happened there were accusations of cheating. It was all rather messy. In the end a rematch was agreed to. Mainly because there were threats. Threats about disposing of some business interests around these parts.

‘Business interests? You mean the universe! So why doesn’t the other side come and save us, then? If they own stuff around here?’

‘To be honest, they’re quietly happy the opposition picked such a small target, but decided to keep their options open and reluctantly agreed to redo the match. Terlaedians have terrible tempers, however, and long memories as well.

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