Super Soldier

by Charlie Carter

  First published 2011 in Pan by Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Limited

  1 market Street, Sydney

  Text copyright © Charlie Carter 2011

  Illustration copyright © Russell Jeffery 2011

  The moral rights of the creators have been asserted.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity [including Google, Amazon or similar organisations], in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, Including photocopying, recording, scanning or by any Information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

  National Library of Australia

  Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

  Carter, Charlie.

  Super soldier / Charlie Carter.

  9780330403993 [pbk.]

  Carter, Charlie. Battle boy; 11.

  For primary school age.

  A823.4

  Designed by Russell Jeffery, Emigraph

  Printed in Australia by McPherson’s Printing Group

  Papers used by Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.

  These electronic editions published in 2011 by Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd

  1 Market Street, Sydney 2000

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

  Battle Boy 11: Super Soldier

  Charlie Carter

  Adobe eReader format 978-1-74262-669-7

  EPub format 978-1-74262-671-0

  Online format 978-1-74262-668-0

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  www.macmillandigital.com.au

  Visit www.panmacmillan.com.au to read more about all our books and to buy both print and ebooks online. You will also find features, author interviews and news of any author events.

  ‘A bodyguard?’ Napoleon called from the change cubicle. ‘Why do I need a bodyguard?’

  ‘Because this is a Danger Level 9 Mission,’ said Professor Perdu over the intercom.

  ‘But Skin gives me all the protection I need,’ Napoleon said as he stretched into his see-through body armour. ‘And he’s a friend. In fact, you could call him my buddy-guard.’

  Skin glowed and hummed into action. ‘Thank you, BB005. We are certainly very close.’

  ‘Enough chatter, you two,’ said Professor Perdu. ‘This is a very special mission. I need your full concentration.’

  ‘What’s so special about it?’ said Napoleon.

  ‘Your bodyguard!’ Professor Perdu said. ‘I am on the precipice of a cutting-edge innovation. I have developed my very first fully operational …

  SUPER SOLDIER!’

  Napoleon could hear the excitement in her voice. A super soldier, he thought. I wonder what that means?

  ‘And this mission is to make sure he’s as super as I believe him to be,’ continued the professor.

  ‘And if he’s not?’

  ‘There is no need for concern,’ said Skin. ‘I will monitor any operational shortfalls that might occur.’

  ‘Please hurry up and get into your gear, BB005!’ Professor Perdu said. ‘This mission is far too important to miss’

  A panel opened to reveal a rough linen tunic, leather breastplate, helmet and leg greaves. There was also a small round shield with a short sword.

  Napoleon pulled on the outfit. ‘Looks like I’m dressing for a real battle.’

  ‘You’re going in as a helot,’ the professor added. ‘That’s a—’

  ‘A Spartan slave,’ said Napoleon. ‘Dad used to tell us the story of the Spartans when we were little. Especially the bit about how they were expected to fight to the death.’ He paused. ‘That doesn’t mean…?’

  ‘No, it doesn’t, BB005,’ said the professor. ‘I’m not expecting that of you.’

  ‘And I bet I know what battle we’re talking about,’ said Napoleon. He rubbed his hands together, and the palm screen hummed to life.

  ‘I thought so,’ said Napoleon. ‘Three hundred Spartans against a huge Persian army invading Greece.’

  ‘Correction,’ said Skin. ‘That view is a myth propped up by popular culture. Part of our mission objective is to discover the facts.’

  ‘Whatever the truth might be,’ said Professor Perdu, ‘perhaps you understand now why I think you need a bodyguard, as well as Skin. You will be in the middle of some serious action.’

  ‘Okay, Prof.’ Napoleon grabbed his helmet, sword and shield. ‘So where is this bodyguard?’

  ‘He’s waiting.’ The professor activated a switch.

  The door of the change cubicle slid open.

  The first thing Napoleon saw when he stepped from the change cubicle was a huge glass cylinder shaped like a bullet.

  Inside the cylinder was a big man, tall and muscular. He was dressed as a Spartan warrior, with armour and a magnificent plumed helmet.

  Swirling around him was a greenish gas, lit up every now and then by tiny sparks and flashes. The mans eyes were closed, but his lids flickered and his mouth twitched.

  ‘He’s a giant!’ Napoleon said, gawking up at him.

  ‘He’s 2.2 metres,’ replied the professor. ‘We could have made TEX taller, but—’

  ‘TEX? Is that his name?’

  ‘It’s what he answers to. It’s short for UTEX1: Uber Trooper Experiment One.’

  ‘He’s… WOW, Prof.’

  ‘Thank you, BB005!’ The professor beamed with delight. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’

  I detect a line of conversation I have already heard on previous occasions, said Skin via the thought channel. The professor will now talk of a quantum leap in her research.

  ‘He represents a quantum leap in my research,’ Professor Perdu continued. ‘Imagine a whole squad of these. No, a platoon. A division! They’d be invincible. The ultimate uber army!’

  Observation confirmed, said Skin.

  Napoleon chuckled to himself. He had never heard Skin quite so put out. Nor had he seen the professor so worked up about anything.

  ‘Sorry, I do get a little carried away when I talk about TEX.’ The professor smiled. ‘I’m like a proud parent. I’ve been working on him for years, you know. You could say he’s my baby. After all, I virtually created him.’

  Considering activation of sleep mode, Skin continued on the thought channel. Previously processed explanation of the UTEX1 project about to ensue.

  Napoleon was almost certain he heard Skin yawn.

  ‘I started with a modified Simulation Skin as the structural foundation for TEX,’ said the professor. ‘Into that I then fed a complicated amalgam of engineered life forms.’

  As the professor spoke, the whole side of the cylinder became a data screen with the heading: UTEX1 COMPOSITION ANALYSIS.

  Beneath that were lists of figures and equations and technical terms. Napoleon ran his eye down them but they meant nothing to him.

  ‘I’m sorry, Prof, but what does it all mean?’

  ‘Put simply: on the surface TEX is a man, but under that skin he is much, much more.’

  Professor Perdu adjusted some dials on the cylinder. The warrior flexed his fingers.

  ‘TEX is a mix of life forms. In my quest to create a super soldier, I’ve taken the very best from nature and technology and bundled them together.
So, for example, I’ve implanted the vision of a hawk in his eyes, the muscle fibres of a tiger in his legs, and those of an ox in his arms. Result: he’s strong, he’s fast, and he can see his enemy from a great distance.’

  The warrior stretched his arms. His muscles rippled and his veins stood up like ribbons of steel.

  ‘But that’s only a tiny part of the picture. TEX has so many special features. See those slits on the side of his neck, for instance? They’re gills’

  ‘You mean like a fish?’

  ‘That’s exactly what I mean.’

  TEX’s chest moved, rising and falling. He opened his mouth slightly and let out a low growl.

  The professor walked around behind him. ‘He doesn’t bleed when cut because his blood is much thicker than ours and contains a self-healing factor derived from the sap of plants’

  ‘Thick blood?’ said Napoleon. ‘But isn’t that tricky for his heart?’

  ‘TEX doesn’t have a heart, not one like you and I, anyway. He has an electronic pump that does a far better job. Basically he can go forever.’

  TEX clenched his fists. Napoleon was amazed at the size of his hands. They were like huge paws.

  ‘And there’s not a single bone in his head. His skull is all Kevlar, virtually indestructible.’

  ‘Body scan indicates a complete lack of brains as well,’ said Skin.

  ‘Just look at him,’ said Professor Perdu with a fond sigh. ‘He’s the ultimate hybrid. Animal, vegetable, mineral–it’s all in there, neatly packaged in human form. Simply beautiful.’

  ‘Yeah, but what is he?’ Napoleon stared in awe at the figure. ‘A person or a … what?’

  As if in answer, TEX suddenly opened his eyes wide. He stared out from the cylinder and his gaze fell upon Napoleon. He peered hard at the boy, inspecting him up and down. And then, slowly, his face lit up with a great big grin.

  ‘I’ll let you decide for yourself, BB005,’ said the professor. ‘It’s time to meet your new offsider.’

  She pressed a button on the side of the cylinder and it sprang open.

  There was a loud hissing, like steam escaping. The warrior stepped from the green gas and went straight to Napoleon.

  ‘You must be BB005,’ he said in a booming voice. ‘I’m TEX and I’m here to keep you safe.’ He thrust out his hand.

  Before Napoleon knew what was happening, his hand was being crushed inside TEX’s massive paw, and his arm shaken from its socket.

  ‘Okay, okay!’ he yelled. ‘Enough shaking!’

  ‘I understand,’ said TEX. ‘You’re keen to get into the mission. That’s makes two of us.’ He slapped Napoleon on the back so hard that Napoleon went sprawling across the floor.

  ‘Now just hold on a minute,’ Napoleon gasped. Staggering to his feet, he turned to Professor Perdu. ‘I need a bodyguard to guard me from him. I don’t know if I’m going to survive this mission, Prof.’

  ‘One moment, please,’ the professor said. She snapped her fingers. TEX turned to her and his whole personality seemed to change.

  ‘Yes, Professor?’ he said, a look of deep concern spreading across his face. ‘Is there something wrong?’

  ‘No, TEX. There’s nothing wrong.’ Professor Perdu fixed him with her eyes, and spoke softly. ‘You are just too keen. You must be gentle with BB005.’ She patted him on the arm. ‘Gentle. Understand?’

  ‘Yes, Professor.’ TEX nodded slowly. ‘Gentle. I will be gentle.’

  ‘Excellent.’ Professor Perdu turned to Napoleon. ‘Just teething problems, BB005. Always bound to have a few. But don’t worry; I’ll keep a close eye on him at every step of this mission.’

  ‘That makes two of us,’ said Napoleon, glancing warily at the super soldier.

  ‘Three of us,’ Skin added.

  ‘If that’s all settled, then, I think we can launch this mission.’ Professor Perdu released the hatch into the Tome Tower. ‘Battle Book 66 is ready, I believe.’

  Battle Book 66 was very ready. It was shaking and rumbling, glowing red and spewing smoke.

  Napoleon grabbed a pair of gloves and hurried over to the shelf. But before he could grab the book, TEX pushed him aside.

  ‘That’s too dangerous,’ said TEX. ‘Here, let me!’

  He plucked the Battle Book from the shelf and fumbled with it. ‘Oooo. Ouch,’ he said, juggling the casket in his bare hands.

  ‘Don’t do that!’ Napoleon shouted.

  ‘Be careful, TEX!’ cried Professor Perdu.

  ‘Careful is not a word that Uber Trooper Experiment One has in his vocabulary,’ Skin explained. ‘More importantly, my scanner indicates that a major disaster is imminent if he is allowed to pursue his present course of action.’

  ‘Hot! Hot! Hot!’ TEX howled as he raced around the Tome Tower, throwing the casket from one hand to the other.

  Then he dropped it.

  ‘Observation confirmed’, said Skin.

  ‘Oh, no!’ Napoleon cringed as the Battle Book tumbled through the air, crashing onto the floor and bursting open.

  The casket was on its side, so instead of the beam shooting up into the tower, it bounced around the room like a fiendish bolt of lightning.

  It tore chunks off the walls and sucked them out of sight. It made two chairs and a desk vanish in a flash.

  ‘Look out,’ Napoleon shouted. ‘The beam is heading for the other Battle Books on the shelves.’

  He raced across the room and kicked the casket with all his might. It swivelled sideways, but not before the beam struck Battle Book 20. The book was sucked out of sight.

  ‘Let’s go, Skin,’ Napoleon yelled. ‘Follow that book. We’ve got to get it back.’

  ‘Leave it,’ shouted Professor Perdu. ‘Abandon mission.’

  But it was already too late. Napoleon had dived into the beam and was gone.

  ‘Wait for me, BB005,’ TEX shouted, lumbering over to the beam.

  ‘No!’ screamed the professor. ‘Let them go.’

  ‘It is my duty,’ TEX replied.

  Before Professor Perdu could click her fingers, he had vanished.

  ‘I cant see the Battle Book anywhere,’ Napoleon said. ‘Don’t tell me we’ve lost it already.’

  ‘Please relax, BB005,’ Skin replied. ‘Battle Books are inserted with GeoChron tracer chips. We have a beam on it. Tracking now over target destination.’

  The mists of time parted to reveal a rugged limestone coast lapped by a sparkling blue sea.

  ‘Approaching Thermopylae,’ Skin continued.

  Napoleon looked down. To the south, a steep mountain range reached right down to the water. Cut into the edge of the range, high above the sea, was a narrow track. It wound down to a wide plain on the other side of the range on which a vast army was gathering. Out in the bay hundreds of ships were ferrying troops ashore.

  ‘That must be the Persians!’ Napoleon gasped. ‘There are so many of them!’

  ‘Correct. The Ancient Greek historian Herodotus put the number at more than two and a half million soldiers. But that is an exaggeration. I estimate approximately three hundred thousand.’

  ‘It’s still a mighty big army for three hundred Greeks to face.’

  ‘That number is also an exaggeration, BB, but an under exaggeration. Please observe the Greek army, Sector 4W.’ Skin directed Napoleon’s eyes to a clearing in the mountains above the coast.

  ‘I see what you mean,’ said Napoleon. ‘There are way more than three hundred soldiers there.’

  ‘Correct.’ Skin scanned the scene. ‘I estimate about seven thousand.’

  ‘Yeah, but it’s still only a handful next to the Persians’

  ‘Correct again. It means there are more than forty Persian soldiers to each Greek soldier. But the Greeks do have geography on their side.’

  ‘Geography. What do you mean?’

  ‘The Pass of Thermopylae, BB005. We are directly over it now.’

  They hovered for a moment and Napoleon peered down.

  The pass was t
he very same track that cut into the range, a sheer mountain rising on one side, a cliff dropping into the sea on the other. ‘It’s so narrow,’ said Napoleon.

  ‘Correct. No more than two chariots can fit next to each other.’

  ‘Which means the Persians can only send in a few soldiers at a time. That is a smart strategy.’

  ‘Correct again. That is why this battle is often cited in military text books as an example of excellent use of terrain to maximise an army’s potential’, said Skin.

  ‘But what about the missing Battle Book, Skin?’ Napoleon said. ‘Remember we have to find that!’

  ‘Of course, BB. I have not forgotten. My memory bank is functioning perfectly. It has landed among those trees in Sector 2W. Heading there now, and locking in Epsilon Phase as we speak.’

  They were flying over a grove of olive trees. Greek soldiers were poised in training, wrestling and sparring with each other–absolutely still, like shop dummies.

  In the middle of the trees was a clearing. As they headed for the clearing, Napoleons Battle Watch crackled with static. He caught a few broken words from Professor Perdu.

  ‘It’s all under control, Prof,’ Napoleon shouted into the watch. ‘We’re about to land, and we should have the Battle Book soon.’

  The Battle Watch crackled some more.

  The professor’s voice was harder to hear and Napoleon could only hear fragments of words.

  ‘Did she say bigger emergency? What does she mean?’ he yelled as he skimmed over the trees.

  ‘Meaning unknown,’ said Skin. ‘HoverVest surging at Level 3.’ Napoleon dropped into the clearing. ‘Activating reverse Boot Boosters. Hover Vest surging at 4 …,

  5…

  Napoleon glided to the ground for a near perfect landing.

  ‘And we have touchdown, BB005.’

  ‘Hey,’ said Napoleon as he slid smoothly to a halt. ‘That was your best landing ever, Skin!’

  ‘Agreed. Landing competency has risen by a factor of three. But this is no time for self-congratulation. Epsilon Phase is unstable, and the Battle Book is still under threat. Please observe.’