The Shrinking Race by H. Badger

Author:H. Badger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: 9781742730295
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont
Published: 2010-08-09T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

Kip pulled the chain out of the drain. And clinging tightly to it was the missing Baltian!

Kip held out a finger. The Baltian grabbed on. Carefully, Kip put the tiny blue boy down on the ground.

As Kip stood up, he saw two blue people run over to the muddy Baltian.They hugged him, crying.

That must be his mum and dad, Kip thought. Funny to think that even little blue aliens have parents.

On the edge of the crowd, Blutor signalled to Finbar to lift him up.

Blutor spoke gravely to Kip and Finbar. ‘If only all rescue missions were this successful,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘We’ve lost too many people to accidents.’

Kip paused, wondering how to answer. Blutor and his people were obviously smart. Kip didn’t want to offend them.

‘Have you thought of building smaller drains?’ Kip asked politely.

‘Our problem is more difficult than drains,’ Blutor said sadly.

Kip shot a glance at Finbar. Neither knew what might come next.

‘Over the last two years,’ Blutor went on, ‘our people have shrunk from your height to the size we are now.’

‘What?’ Kip said, shocked. ‘How?’

He’d heard about all kinds of strange planets from other Space Scouts. But no-one had ever mentioned a shrinking alien race!

‘We cannot explain it,’ said Blutor, rubbing his blue chin.

He’s worried about the future of his people, Kip thought. Just like I’m worried about the future of Earth.

At that moment, the sound of grinding metal pierced the air.

ER-RRRRRRRRRR!

It sounded like a rusty starship changing gears.

‘Put me down!’ Blutor said quickly. ‘We must hide!’

Blutor and the other Baltians disappeared through their silver walls. Within seconds, the city was deserted.

ER-RRRRRRRRRR!

‘It’s getting louder!’ yelled Finbar, covering his ears. ‘Run!’

Kip thought ahead for a moment. It was a vital Space Scout skill. If we run into the buildings, we might crush a Baltian, he thought. Then they’ll never want to share their planet with us.

It was a risk Kip couldn’t take. They had to find somewhere else to hide.

‘The sugarmelon field!’ Kip yelled.

‘Look!’ said Finbar, as they ran. He’d spotted a green shape in the sky. It was heading straight for them!

The shape got closer. Kip saw it had a beak and giant wings.

‘That’s too heavy to be a bird,’ Finbar said. ‘See how it swoops when it’s flying?’

‘It’s metal,’ Kip yelled, noticing the creature’s body glinting in the sun. ‘It’s some kind of winged robot!’

The robot circled directly overhead. Its screech was ear-splitting and there were dagger-sharp claws on its feet.

Kip dragged Finbar towards him. Flicking on his SpaceCuff, Kip engaged the InstaShield mode. Lines of powerful electrical currents sprang from the Space-Cuff and arced above Kip and Finbar.

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