Rocky Road

by Susannah McFarlane

  The wall behind the toilet spun around, with the toilet and EJ12 still attached. The toilet then tipped slightly and EJ slipped off the toilet seat and onto a beanbag at the top of what looked like a giant tunnel slide. A protective shield came over the back of the beanbag, covering EJ. The wall then spun back and EJ could hear the click as the toilet door unlocked on the other side. A locked toilet door with no one in the cubicle would raise suspicions and SHINE didn’t want that. On her side of the wall, EJ was ready, she keyed ‘go’ into her phone and...

  EJ travelled down the tube that led away from her school and into the SHINE tube network, whizzing around corners at high speed. As she travelled, EJ could hear music piped through the Mission Tube. That’s new, nice touch, she thought. Soon however, just in the middle of one of her favourite songs, EJ came to a stop at a small platform with a keypad and screen. The protective shield over the beanbag flipped back and EJ again entered her pin code in the keypad and waited. The security check was about to commence.

  The check changed each time. Sometimes it was an eye scan, sometimes voice recognition. It was different every time to prevent anyone breaking into the SHINE network.

  ‘Please sign your autograph on the screen pad,’ requested a digital voice.

  Cool! thought Emma as she signed her name on the screen. Emma liked signing her name and was always trying to write it in a new style. This time, however, she decided she’d better write normally.

  There was a short sharp flash.

  ‘Handwriting check complete. Handwriting quite messy but agent identity confirmed. Please drop in, EJ12!’

  There was another beep as the platform beneath her opened up and EJ, still on her beanbag, dropped gently down into the Code Room. There was nothing in the room but a table, a chair and a clear plastic tube protruding from the ceiling. SHINE liked their tubes. EJ moved to the chair and waited. She heard the familiar whizzing noise, put her hands out under the tube and caught a little capsule that popped out of it. EJ opened the capsule and took out a small piece of paper and a pen. It was an intercepted code and Emma read it.

  The first thing that caught EJ’s attention was the picture of the mobile phone. That had to mean something, but what? Then she noticed something else about the message: there was no number higher than nine. That had to tell her something too. Hmmm. EJ took out her phone and as soon as she saw the keypad, something clicked in her mind.

  EJ was now pretty sure she knew how to crack the code.

  It’s a mobile text code, she thought. If I match the numbers to the ones on the phone keypad, I think I will get words, just like a text message. Let’s test it. EJ keyed the first set of numbers into her phone. As she did, the letters appeared on her screen and EJ wrote them down under the coded message.

  Then the next set.

  Pink Shadows? The band, Pink Shadows? Why were they in the message? What did they have to do with a SHINE Mission? Did they have something to do with the SHADOW agency? Surely not, thought EJ as she moved on to the next set of numbers.

  Concept? Could that be right? It didn’t feel right. Could it be another word? EJ pressed the predictive text for more options. That’s better, she thought when she saw the next option appear.

  EJ quickly keyed in the remaining number sets then wrote the decoded message under the code.

  EJ looked at the now decoded message but could hardly believe what she was reading. The Pink Shadows concert? Is this really an intercepted message from SHADOW? thought EJ. EJ looked at the message again. It was not like any message she had ever decoded before. It was more like a message that a friend would send to another friend. Had SHINE made a mistake? wondered EJ.

  EJ was still trying to work out what the message might mean as she rolled up the paper with the decoded message, put it back in the capsule and then slipped the capsule up the tube. There was a whoosh as the capsule was sucked up and away towards SHINE HQ where the head of SHINE, A1, would be waiting for it—and for EJ12. Perhaps with A1’s help she would be able to work out what the message meant. EJ hoped so.

  EJ had re-entered the Mission Tube and, after a short trip, arrived at her next stop. Large metal doors slid apart and EJ walked into the Operations Room of SHINE HQ. EJ was pleased to see that things were back to normal with lights on and computer screens flashing. It wasn’t so long ago that SHINE’ s energy supplies had been attacked by SHADOW. SHINE had been reduced to using emergency lighting and candles. It was, as she proudly remembered, EJ who had worked out what SHADOW was doing and stopped them from blacking out SHINE permanently.

  ‘Hello again EJ12,’ said A1, ‘welcome back. I hope you had a nice trip. Did you enjoy our new in-tube music?’

  A1 was the head of the SHINE agency and she was responsible for briefing agents for their missions. A1 was, as always, wearing a smart black suit with a white shirt and a long silver chain with a beautiful, almost glowing, yellow pendant. A1’s long white hair was swooped up in a rather messy bun held with a tortoiseshell comb at the back. There could be all sorts of things sticking out of the bun, but, today, EJ noticed, there was just a pencil.

  ‘As you can see, EJ, we are back to normal and have full power again but we have introduced some energy-saving devices as a result of that last mishap. Remember one of our favourite mottoes, “If you get lemons, you can make lemonade”; there is always something good that can come from bad things.’

  EJ nodded, wondering if there was anything that SHINE did not have a motto for.

  ‘We have a motto for most things, EJ12,’ said A1 who always seemed to know what EJ was thinking, which was a bit disconcerting. ‘Do you know,’ she continued, ‘that this is one of the first SHADOW messages that we have intercepted in quite some time? We simply have not been able to find them. They could be planning something big and we don’t know anything. But now, thank goodness, we have this message. We had been keeping an eye on a particular SHADOW agent and managed to intercept the message from SHADOW that was sent to her phone. We made a copy of the message before sending it on to the agent. She shouldn’t suspect anything and SHADOW won’t know that we might be on to them. Now, let’s look at that message.’ A1 turned towards the screen. ‘Light Screen, lower. Show message.’

  On A1’s command, an enormous screen came down from the ceiling. It was the Light Screen, a giant, voice-activated plasma screen that accessed the Internet, all SHINE’ s classified files, radio and television channels and GPS technology too. You could also use it as a touch screen and move pictures around, grouping things together. It was very clever and very cool. The decoded message that EJ had just cracked flashed on to the screen.

  EJ looked at the bit that said how long it took to crack the code. ‘That’s new,’ said EJ frowning. She loved cracking codes but she didn’t like time tests.

  ‘Yes, well spotted, EJ. We need to keep track of our agents’ times and make sure they are improving. Don’t look so worried, you did well, EJ,’ said A1 smiling. ‘Now I think this message is very interesting. I have been hearing a lot about the Pink Shadows lately.’

  ‘They are one of the hottest bands around,’ said EJ, wondering if A1 kept up with new music—she wouldn’t be surprised.

  ‘Yes, I suspect you are not surprised that I know that. Indeed I received an email with a free download to one of their songs the other day, although I must say I haven’t got around to doing it yet. I think it is a re-max.’

  ‘A re-mix?’ asked EJ helpfully, trying not to giggle.

  ‘Yes, that was it, a re-mix,’ said A1. ‘How did you know?’

  ‘That’s the word for a new version of a song,’ explained EJ.

  ‘Oh, is it? Well that’s a new word for me, thanks EJ. Now let’s see what we know about these Pink Shadows people.’ A1 turned back to the Light Screen and said, ‘Pink Shadows. Show data, show footage.’

  Images started to flood the Light Screen, of the band, of the lead singer, Shady Lady, of the band at awards ceremonies. Videos started streaming of music clips, interview
s and concert performances.

  ‘Goodness, there is a lot. Report summary,’ said A1.

  A digital voice began talking. ‘The Pink Shadows is one of the most popular bands in the world. They release a new song every month and their songs always hit the top ten and are some of the most popular downloads. Their recent hits include “Listen Up”, “Master Plan” and “Getting Dark”. Their latest song is “Rock ’n’ Shine”. The band tours constantly. They are currently on their fourth tour across the country, the Decoder Tour. Shady Lady is the band’s new lead singer and is known for her unusual and striking stage costumes as well as her wild stage performances. There have been rumours that the other band members are tiring of Shady Lady already, saying she is always over-shadowing them but this is not confirmed. She is rarely seen without her dog, Pinky-poo, who, to animal rights groups’ concern, is dressed in clothes and kept in Shady Lady’s handbag. Although small, Pinky-poo has been known to bite journalists who ask difficult questions. The Pink Shadows are playing the final concert of the Decoder Tour tonight to a sold-out stadium. There is a lot of online chat about the rumour that they may release a new version of “Rock ’n’ Shine” but this has not been confirmed. End of summary.’

  ‘Pink Shadows, Decoder Tour, is that just a coincidence?’ asked A1. ‘I am not at all sure. And there is something else that is making me extremely suspicious. Watch this, EJ,’ said A1 as she again turned back to the screen. ‘Show Pink Shadows tour dates and locations.’

  A string of dates appeared.

  ‘Show tracked SHADOW internet activity, by date,’ said A1 who then turned back to EJ. ‘While we haven’t been able to find out what they are doing, we have been able to track their internet usage. And what we have discovered from that is interesting, very interesting indeed. Look.’

  Another string of data appeared on the screen.

  ‘Cross reference,’ said A1.

  As EJ watched, the two sets of data were merged into each other.

  ‘Do you see the pattern, EJ?’ asked A1.

  ‘Yes!’

  ‘Well, what is it?’ asked A1.

  ‘Oh right, sorry,’ said EJ quickly continuing. ‘There is a big increase in SHADOW internet activity the day after a Pink Shadows’ concert. Actually, there is a big increase in SHADOW internet activity the day after every Pink Shadows’ concert.’

  ‘Exactly,’ said A1. ‘Another coincidence? I don’t think so. And now, in this message, SHADOW is telling its agent to go to the Pink Shadows concert, here, tonight. The question is why? Will there be more internet activity after this concert as well? What will the agent do at a rock music concert and why will she need to buy hair and headset? What does “hair and headset” even mean? Will there be more than one SHADOW agent there? There are so many questions and we need to find out the answers. And quickly. I am afraid you are going to have to go to that concert EJ12.’

  Is she kidding? thought EJ. Who wouldn’t want to go to a Pink Shadows concert?

  ‘Okay, I’m ready A1,’ replied EJ smiling. ‘I think I can cope.’

  EJ12’s mission gear was laid out, as usual, on the briefing table but it was pretty unusual gear. Rather than binoculars there were heart-shaped sunglasses, rather than a backpack there was a nifty denim shoulder bag with lots of little button badges pinned to it. There were badges with pictures of puppies, a baby monkey, even a badge that said ‘I ♥ Penguins’ and another saying ‘100% maths’. It was as if it had been created especially for EJ. Instead of cargo pants and standard issue mission t-shirt, there was a pair of faded denim jeans and, EJ’s eyes lit up when she saw it, a limited edition Pink Shadows tour t-shirt. There was also a black leather jacket and a pair of indigo-coloured sneakers that looked to be exactly EJ’s size. ‘The sneakers can also become platform sneakers, EJ. If you need a bit more height, simply click and wait for the heels to extend. They may help you look for things in the crowd. You will also be needing this,’ said A1 as she passed EJ her concert ticket. ‘There is a purse in your bag with some money in it. Keep the ticket there so you don’t lose it.’

  A1 sounded just like EJ’s mum. She often did but EJ didn’t mind, it was good to know that someone was looking out for you. Before she put it away, EJ looked at the ticket and gasped. It wasn’t just any concert ticket, it was a ticket for Pink Class, the best section in the stadium.

  ‘How did you get this?’ asked EJ. ‘These tickets have been sold out for months.’

  ‘Oh, we have our ways,’ said A1 smiling. ‘You may need this as well,’ said A1, giving EJ a plastic disc, attached to a long pink cord. ‘It is a backstage pass. Put it around your neck and if anyone asks, tell them you won it in a “Light Up Your Life” radio competition. Now EJ, this is another night mission. Are you ready for that?’

  ‘Absolutely A1,’ replied EJ without hesitating. ‘You could say that I have seen the light on being scared of the dark!’

  ‘Well done you, EJ12,’ said A1. ‘And I do like a word joke. In fact, that reminds me of another SHINE motto: “It’s always more fun when you use a good pun.”’

  EJ groaned at that one, then spied an mp3 player on the briefing table. It had a metallic indigo cover which, along with aqua, was one of EJ’s favourite colours. It looked slightly different from the ones in the shops.

  ‘This is a special SHINE-issue mp3 player, EJ. It’s a spy-pod and has extra functions including a record function. There is also a SHINE-issue headset but make sure you buy another set at the concert, as the message instructed. And some hair, whatever that means. Okay, let’s move on to your new charms.’

  CHARM stood for Clever Hidden Accessories with Release Mechanism. The SHINE inventors were always creating new devices for their agents. They invented baby penguin food dispensers, glow-in-the-dark string, spray to attract butterflies and spray to repel spiders but their cleverest invention was a method to shrink all this equipment and hide it within charms. The agent simply wore the charm bracelet on her wrist and, when she needed to, activated the device by twisting the charm. It worked, as A1 liked to say, like a charm! Depending on where the agent was going and what she might need to do, the SHINE inventors would create new charms.

  EJ saw there were four new silver charms laid out on the briefing table. There was a little microphone, a dog bone, a guitar and a heart with musical notes engraved on it.

  ‘I really think we have outdone ourselves this time,’ said A1. ‘Look at the microphone charm, EJ. This charm is embedded with SHINE-created micro-speak technology. Once activated, you simply select your voice type and then speak into the microphone. Your voice will be disguised as the selected voice. You can sound like a young man, an old woman, a small child, there is quite a range to choose from, including animal noises. It is quite ingenious, even if we do say so ourselves. You can also pick your language—once you talk into it, it will translate and, voila! it will produce the words in that language. And last, but by no means least, if you use your spy-pod to record a voice, you can connect it up and micro-speak will be able to copy it, allowing you to sound exactly like that person. It could be very useful to get past voice-recognition tests.’

  ‘Wow,’ said EJ, ‘that is amazing.’ And, she thought, imagine what I could do with it to annoy Bob.

  ‘Just remember, EJ,’ said A1 frowning slightly, ‘the charms cannot be used outside missions.’

  ‘Oh, of course not,’ said EJ, blushing. She thought she’d better move the conversation on. ‘What does this little dog bone do, A1?’

  ‘I am glad you asked,’ said A1. ‘It’s our new dog whisperer charm. We are a little bit worried about Shady Lady’s dog, Pinky-poo. She seems rather temperamental. If she does give you any trouble, this charm will help you manage her.’

  That is so cool, thought EJ. I wish you could use them out of missions—it might work on Nema.

  ‘Okay, EJ12, the concert stadium is out of town and we need to get you there well before the show starts so you can have a look around. We must not miss a beat. Th
ere will be a further briefing once you are on your way. Now you need to get changed and prepare yourself for departure,’ said A1.

  EJ headed off to the dressing room with her clothes. SHINE always got the right size and EJ felt confident and ready for anything once she changed into her mission gear, even if it was jeans and a leather jacket this time. Her school dress would be washed and sent home to EJ’s mum who, being a former SHINE agent herself, wouldn’t be surprised. Actually she would be thrilled that someone else had washed the uniform for a change.

  Dressed and feeling fabulous, EJ attached her charms to her bracelet, put her backstage pass around her neck and packed her spy-pod, headset, purse and phone into her shoulder bag. Then she heard A1’s voice over the loudspeaker.

  ‘EJ12, push the button to the right of the dressing room door and you can exit directly to the SHINE underground car park, where your limousine is waiting for you. Good luck and keep in contact.’

  A limo? Could this mission get any better? EJ12 was ready to rock.

  EJ sat in the back of the most enormous car she had ever seen, let alone been in. The glass panel between the back and front of the car slid aside and the driver looked at EJ through the rear-vision mirror.