Eighth Grade vs. the Machines by Joshua S. Levy

Author:Joshua S. Levy [Levy, Joshua S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction - Middle Grade, Fiction, Middle-Grade Fiction, Middle-Grade Novel, Middle-Grade Novels, novel, Novels, Sci-Fi, Sci Fi, friendship, aliens, outer space, futuristic, sequel, school, robots, spaceship, action, suspense
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Published: 2021-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

15

“What . . .” I stutter. “What’s happening?”

The figure removes its hood, revealing the face of a chimpanzee. “The Library operates on a reciprocal information exchange.”

Riya protectively pushes her way to the front of the group and stares down the newcomer. “What does that mean, exactly?”

Missi edges in front of Riya. “Thank you, Chief of Security Windsor. But I’m the science officer. So, um, yeah. What does that mean?”

The librarian narrows his eyes. “Provide the Library with previously unknown information and, in exchange, you may inquire for yourselves.”

Ari catches on. “We tell you stuff. You tell us stuff!”

“Precisely,” the librarian says.

Ari nods, working it all out. “You didn’t know about us. That we’re humans and that some of us escaped the Quarantine. Then I said it out loud.”

“For reasons unknown, we have you in our database as a newly awakened species named the Umjerrylochners. But yes, that is accurate. We knew of the execution of the Quarantine on your system. The Minister’s data officers regularly offer uploads to the Great Library . . .”

Ari, Becka, and I look at each other. We’re not in the Elvid System. But we’re not safe either.

“We were not aware,” the librarian continues, “that some of you had escaped. That informational offering has granted you access to the Library.” He holds out a hand. A paw. Whatever. “This way.”

The elevator doors close and we slowly descend beneath the planet’s surface. The sunlight dims, replaced by bright artificial lighting inside the elevator. Through the glass: just dirt, at first. Rock. Brown and beige and gray. We begin to move faster. Dark red and orange. Bright, explosive yellow. Faster. Faster. On instinct, we all reach out to steady ourselves. Against the walls. Against each other. But none of us even stumble. The elevator picks up more speed and the planet’s inner layers continue zooming past—and we feel nothing. Not a jolt or a jostle.

“Exiting the mantle now,” the librarian announces. He reaches into his cloak and pulls out a handful of small foil pouches. “In case anyone is overcome with nausea. It is quite common, I assure you.”

“Barf bags,” Becka whispers to me. “We’re being offered barf bags by a talking monkey.”

Missi takes one, just in case.

“Oh,” Ari mutters to himself, as we continue to descend. “That reminds me!”

He taps his ring and projects a small holographic chart into the space above his palm. With his free hand, he marks something on the image with his Pencil.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Just a game I’m playing with myself.” Ari widens the space between his thumb and forefinger, enlarging the projection for all of us to see.

Ari’s Apocalypse Bingo

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