He cleared the length of the reef. Done! He burst back up to the surface and took in a huge gulp of air. He pictured the rest of the course. Okay, papa ramp next, then—
“Vo Spader, return to dock immediately.”
Uh-oh…That order came through loud and clear over the speaker. He knew that tone only too well.
“Vo Spader, return to the dock immediately, or be removed.”
Busted.
Spader pulled back on the throttle and whipped off his blindfold.
He slowly turned the sled around and saw the very unwelcome sight of Master Simmons standing on the dock, surrounded by a group of adults. Parents and alumni, no doubt, all here for the graduation ceremony tomorrow.
Time for a reckoning, Spader thought. They can’t expel me, he told himself, but worried that maybe they actually could.
He tried to read the master’s expression as he approached the dock. Oooh, not good. In fact, everyone was glaring at him. He slowed the sled, delaying the inevitable, hoping he’d come up with the perfect thing to say.
Hang on, he thought. They’ve stopped looking at me, they’re looking out to the open waters beyond. He frowned. They didn’t look annoyed. They looked…shocked.
A loud boom nearly startled him off the sled. What the—
Spader craned his neck to see two vessels just beyond the academy water gates. One was the ferry carrying the guests for graduation. The other boat was…
“Raiders!” he gasped.
A booming sound came again, and a body dropped off the ferry pilot’s tower and plunged into the water. The sea pirates were firing on the ferry!
TWO
Ear-piercing sirens screeched from the loudspeakers all across the academy. Everywhere Spader looked he saw frantic activity: aquaneers suiting up on the run, ships being launched, and people shouting instructions. But this was a training facility, not designed for military operations. Spader wondered if they’d have the means to take on armed raiders.
Then it hit him. His parents were on that ferry!
His fingers hit the throttle, and the sled zipped across the water. He zoomed out the academy gates, heading straight toward the fight.
His stomach tightened. There was blood in the water.
He gritted his teeth and urged the sled to go faster. He glanced up to check the distance, and his heart nearly stopped.
His father was out on deck—trading punches with a raider!
Spader made a sharp turn, sending up spray, and pulled alongside the vessel. He wanted to board behind the raider. That would give him the advantage of surprise.
He leaped from his sled and grabbed the handholds on the side of the ship. He scrambled up and flung himself onto the raider’s back. He shoved his arm across the raider’s throat and yanked back, hard.
“Vo!” Spader’s father, Benn, looked startled and then grinned. “Glad you’re here, laddie!”
The raider shoved his fingers between Spader’s arm and his neck. He brought his shoulder up sharply, knocking Spader’s jaw.
Spader’s head whipped back and his hold loosened. The raider squirmed out of his grip, but Benn Spader was on him.
“No, you don’t!” Benn shouted. “Grab him!” He pushed the raider back into Spader. Spader was ready for him—he gripped the man’s arms tightly.
The raider lurched and lunged, desperate to break free. He kicked out at Benn, who quickly grabbed his legs.
“Man overboard!” Spader cried.
Together he and his father hurled the raider over the rail and into the water below.
There were splashes all around the ship as raiders dropped off the boat. They swam toward their vessel.
“Was it something I said?” Spader joked.
“They didn’t like the new odds,” Benn said. He pointed to the academy boats heading their way.
“I think they just didn’t want to have to face Benn Spader and son!”
“Come on,” Benn said. “We need to check on your mum.”
They hurried below. Spader saw ten parent types huddled together in the cabin. A woman with a single dramatic gray streak in her dark hair stood when they entered.
“Vo! Benn!” Ginja Spader cried.
Spader’s body flooded with relief when he saw his mum. She looked frightened, but fine.
“No worries, Mum,” Spader said. “All spiff here.”
“What are you doing on board?” she asked, folding him into a hug.
“Just had to check up on you and Pop,” Spader said.
The first of the academy aquaneers boarded, weapons at the ready.
Benn held up a hand. “We’re all under control down here.”
“There weren’t very many of them,” one of the other parents added.
“They seemed to know that tomorrow is graduation day,” Ginja Spader said.
The aquaneer nodded and reholstered his weapon. “Makes sense. Hit the boat carrying parents, knowing they’d probably be bringing gifts and grentons with them.”
“They—they got some of the pilot’s crew,” Benn said.
“That’s how they usually operate,” the aquaneer said gravely. “Is everyone all right here? Anyone need medical attention?”
After organizing the few people with injuries, the aquaneer crew went up to the pilot house to bring the ship in. Soon they were safely arriving at the academy. Everyone on the dock let out a cheer.
Spader gave a big wave and hopped onto the dock. He was instantly surrounded by his friends, thumping him on the back and congratulating him. Min raced up to her parents and disappeared into their arms.
A man strode over to Spader and stuck out his beefy hand. “Well done, mate. Nice to see a young person showing such courage and initiative.”
“Thanks,” Spader said.
“I’m Chi Watsu,” the man said.
Aha, Spader thought. Per’s father. Per was a shorter, slimmer version.
“If you ever need a job, there’s always a place in my shipyard. We need motivated young people like you.”
Behind Mr. Watsu, Spader saw Per glowering.
“Too bad my own son doesn’t show such initiative,” Chi Watsu added. “Maybe then he’d—”
Before Mr. Watsu could finish the thought, an announcement came over the loudspeaker.
“Vo Spader, please report to the dean’s office. Immediately.”
Mr. Watsu gave Spader a light punch on the arm. “Must be about giving you a commendation.”
Spader smiled weakly. That hadn’t sounded like a “come on in and get a medal” announcement.
THREE
What am I going to do with you, Vo Spader?” Master Simmons demanded. “It’s been this way your entire time here at the academy. You show great promise and skill, and then you do something completely foolish. Not to mention dangerous.”
Spader wanted to say that his skill should be all that mattered, not whether or not he followed a bunch of dumb rules. But he knew enough to keep his mouth shut.
“I could expel you for using the obstacle course unsupervised.” Simmons shook his head. “And you did it blindfolded!”
“I beat it, though,” Spader blurted out. “You should have seen me! Maybe your next cadets should—”
The master shot Spader a look that made Spader instantly stop speaking.
“By the gates of Faar, what made you do such a stupid thing when you knew you’d be caught? Are you that intent on proving you don’t have to follow the rules?”
“What do you mean?” Spader asked.
“The parents’ tour!” the master said. “It was on all of your schedules for the day.”
“Oh, right…” Spader hadn’t actually read the schedule, but he was certain Per had. Spader’s ears grew hot with anger. The timing was too perfect—Per had set him up to be caught.
“Under normal circumstances I would expel you,” Master Simmons continued. “But those parents out there view you as a hero.” The Master sighed and rubbed his face. “Another foolhardy
move. You went into a dangerous situation without knowing the facts. You put yourself and possibly others at risk.”
“My parents were aboard that vessel,” Spader protested. “I had to do something.”
“I know. I’m not saying it wasn’t also courageous.” He shook his head. “That’s why you’ve been such a difficult student. You can be selfless and brave, but you just don’t think!”
“Please let me graduate,” Spader said. “I promise to start thinking more.”
The master looked as if he were fighting back a smile. “I certainly hope so. You’re a good lad, Vo. People like having you around. Just don’t make them regret putting up with your recklessness. Like I’m about to do.”
“Thank you!” Spader said. He grabbed the master’s hand and gave it a hard shake. “I’ll make you and the academy proud. You’ll see!”
“I have high hopes,” the master said. “Dismissed.”
Spader hurried out of the office. He knew his parents were waiting for him back at his room, but first he needed to have a word or two with Per. Loud and choice words.
He didn’t have to go far. Per was sitting on the dock rail as if he were waiting for Spader to come out of the master’s office.
“You set me up,” Spader said. “You knew exactly when the master would be at the obstacle course.”
Per shrugged. “You could have said no. But as usual you had to impress everybody. The great and daring Vo Spader at it again. You never take anything seriously.”
“Fighting off the raiders was pretty serious,” Spader retorted. “What did you do? Run to daddy.”
Per’s eyes flashed with anger. “You didn’t go into that fight to help. It was just showing off.” He gave a nasty laugh. “You probably thought it would be fun! It’s all just a big game to you.”
Spader’s fist connected with Per’s jaw. Startled, Per fell to the ground. Spader was startled too—he hadn’t realized he was going to hit Per until he saw his hand fly out.
Per scrambled up to his feet and swung. Spader ducked the blow, but Per was fast and came back in with a punch to Spader’s midsection.
“Oof.” Spader doubled over. As Per came at him again, he twisted and kicked out in a sweeping roundhouse, knocking Per back to the ground.
Per leaped up again with an angry shout and flung himself onto Spader. The sudden, sideways weight knocked Spader off balance. They toppled off the dock and into the water.
Water rushed up Spader’s nose, and he wished he were wearing an air globe. He kicked hard and resurfaced quickly, but he felt Per grab his legs, making it impossible for him to swim away.
Spader squirmed and wriggled but he couldn’t break free. Per suddenly yanked hard, dunking Spader under.
Spader shot back up, but Per was instantly on him again, grabbing a handful of his long hair. Spader’s head jerked back, and Per pulled his head under the water. Spader scissored his legs around Per’s, then tossed him sideways, breaking the boy’s hold. Spader kicked hard to put distance between them. Per grabbed Spader’s feet in a viselike grip and pulled him down under again.
Is he trying to kill me? Without air globes, Per would drown himself right along with Spader. Per didn’t seem to care.
Spader felt as if he were suffocating. He stopped thinking about trading blows with Per anymore—he needed to get to the surface. But Per kept at it, weighing Spader down.
Something dropped into the water nearby. A pair of powerful hands yanked the two boys apart. Per tumbled away, and Spader shot up to the surface. He took in big, grateful gulps of air.
Per’s head popped up a few feet away.
“You trango fish!” Spader yelled. He raised his arms to stroke toward Per, but a strong hand grabbed his wrist, holding him back.
“Stop. This minute,” Benn Spader ordered his son. “Back to the dock. Now.”
Spader slowly swam back to the dock, weighed down by embarrassment. To have to be rescued by his dad. And his father didn’t seem too happy about it either.
Spader glanced up at the dock. A group of parents had watched the whole thing. Spader saw his mum’s disappointed expression. He could kick himself for getting into a fight in front of everyone. He should have waited until he and Per were alone.
Spader pulled himself out of the water and stood dripping on the dock, waiting for his father. Per climbed up a few feet away.
Spader watched Per’s father storm over to Per. He grabbed Per’s arm and dragged him down the dock. “You let that boy catch you off guard?” the older Watsu demanded. “Then you had to be rescued by his father?”
“He didn’t rescue me!” Per shouted. “I was winning.”
“Winning!” Spader sputtered. His fists clenched. He wanted to finish the fight—show Per once and for all who would have won.
“Stop it. Now,” Benn Spader ordered.
Ginja Spader joined her husband and son. “Are you all right?” she asked.
“Fine,” Spader said, looking down at his feet.
“No, you’re not fine,” Benn said. “You’re so caught up in anger and adrenaline you’re not thinking straight.”
Spader gaped at his father. “That’s not true! Per—”
“Let’s go to your room,” Benn said, cutting him off.
Spader knew better than to protest. He took his mum’s overnight case, and they walked to Spader’s room in silence.
Spader was fuming. First Per got him into trouble with the master and now this.
When they arrived at his room, Benn told Ginja, “Give us some time.”
“Of course,” Ginja replied. “I’ll go to the visitors’ quarters. I need to freshen up.” She gave them a wry smile. “Not as badly as you two need to do, of course.” She took her case back from her son and left them alone.
The warm day had dried their clothes a bit. Spader handed his father a towel.
“Vo, you’re a good, smart, and talented lad,” Benn said, toweling off his hair.
“But…” Spader said, knowing that this compliment was just the beginning of a lecture.
“You seem to have no control. No discipline.”
“I get the job done,” Spader protested. “No one is better in the water than I am.”
“That may be true,” his father conceded, “but that’s not enough. By far.”
Spader sighed. He’d heard this one before. But this time his father seemed much more intense about it.
“Hitting that boy,” Benn said, shaking his head. “How was that ‘getting the job done’?”
Spader looked away. When his father saw his final academy report, he’d only be angrier—it had the same kinds of criticisms. “Not living up to his full potential” was also a comment that his parents wouldn’t be happy to see.
“You jeopardized a career that hasn’t even begun,” his dad continued. “Do you want to be known as a brawler?”
“Per had it coming!” Spader protested.
Exasperated, Benn threw his hands into the air. “Even now! You don’t see it! That momentary satisfaction of hitting someone who insulted you doesn’t make up for the damage you cause yourself.”
“He set me up!” Spader fumed. “He knew the master would be passing by, and that’s when he dared me to—”
Benn held up a hand. “Stop right there. Do you hear yourself? He dared you to do something that was against the rules, not to mention dangerous. All you’re angry about is that he did it in a way that you’d be caught. What do you care if he dares you to do something?”
Spader’s mouth dropped open. He didn’t have a good answer to that.
“You sound just as angry now as you must have been when you took a swing at him,” his father said. “You have to let it go. Anger has a bad habit of festering and getting worse.”
“You’re right,” Spader finally conceded. “I’ll let it go. Besides, after graduation tomorrow I won’t have to see his smug face again!”
Benn shook his head. “I have a feeling this is something we’re going
to have to keep talking about.”
FOUR
Wishing you smooth waters, the strength of the waves, and the wisdom of the Faarians for this next phase of your life!”
Spader beamed as his friends and family toasted him. His parents were throwing him a going-away party; tomorrow he’d start his assignment on Grallion.
Spader held up his glass of sparkling graka juice. “Wisdom and strength are all very well and good,” he jokingly complained. “But how about wishing me the fun of a skimmer race and the adventures of an aqua explorer!”
Benn slung an arm around his son’s shoulders and grinned. “That’s my boy! Always looking for excitement! Me, I just want to be sure he doesn’t lose the job and have to live off his mum and me for the rest of his life!”
“You mean I won’t be getting an allowance anymore?” Spader asked in mock horror. “Can I at least send home my dirty clothing?”
“You somehow managed to do it at the academy,” his mother teased.
“Sure, he managed,” someone in the back of the group shouted, “by never doing it! Phew, the smell!”
Everyone laughed, Spader the hardest of all.
“There’s someone here I want you to meet,” Benn said. He brought Spader to the refreshment table where a tall slim man stood cutting a piece of larto fruit pie. “Press, I’d like you to meet my son, Vo Spader.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Press said.
“Good, I hope,” Spader said.
“Definitely. I can’t wait to get into the water with you,” Press said. “I hear you’re some skimmer scuttler.”
“I make good time,” Spader admitted with a grin.
“Before you go, we should have ourselves a race,” Press said.
“You’re on!” Spader said. “Maybe we can even get my dad into the mix.”
“I’d rather watch and referee,” Benn said. “With you two, someone has to be sure you’re playing by the rules.”
“Do you work with my father?” Spader asked.
Book One of the Travelers Page 12
