The Kid Kingdom (6 page)
Kip was exhausted. But there was one more thing to do. His mission report!
Together, he and Finbar made their way to the bridge.
Kip sat on his captain's chair, engaged his holographic console and began to type.
CAPTAIN'S LOG
Yufe
Climate:
Almost identical to Earth 1.
Population:
Three-eyed green alien kids who never grow older than 12. The kids are split into two groups â the technology-loving Undergrounders and the fun-loving kids on the surface.
Highlights:
Chocolate fountains and freedom to hoverboard anywhere.
Water that expands in cold temperatures. Could help with Earth's water shortages.
Lowlights:
Although Yufe is great fun, the surface kids are unprepared for any kind of crisis.
Recommendation:
Yufe is a kids-only planet, which means it cannot be Earth 2. Anyway, after observing conditions on Yufe, I now realise grown-ups are useful sometimes. Running an entire planet is a huge responsibility!
KIP KIRBY, SPACE SCOUT #50
Relieved, Kip hit send. His tasks were complete, for this mission at least.
He scrolled to the holophone function on his console and punched in Jett's number. He couldn't wait to find out how the rest of the moon camping trip went.
When Jett answered the call, it wasn't just his voice or picture that came through. Instead, a three-dimensional holographic version of Jett was beamed from the console into MoNa's bridge.
Jett's hologram sat down next to Kip and put its holographic feet up on the dash.
âYour dad was pretty mad about the Space Stream at first,' holographic Jett said.
Kip winced.
âBut once it came back from the Hoverport, he calmed down.'
Relief washed over Kip.
âYour dad
did
tell terrible jokes all the way home,' Jett said, grinning.
Kip put his head in his hands. Why did grown-ups have to be so embarrassing?
âHey, how do you know Saturn's married?' Jett asked.
Kip groaned. This was one of his dad's favourite and most terrible jokes! âBecause it wears rings,' he said, laughing despite himself.
Holographic Jett turned to Kip with a big smile on his face. âI've just had a great idea!' he said. âMaybe our next camping trip should be kids-only.'
Kip paused, remembering everything that had happened on Yufe.
âErâ¦kids-only?' he said. âI'll need to think about that!'
THE END
