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We
had won the war with the Aliens and now Peter Wiggin, the brother of the
war hero, the brother who had not qualified for Battle School, the rejected
one, the Hegemon of Earth was trying to reestablish his authority. I now
led the small military force that supported what small authority he maintained.
Only I wasn't 'little' Bean
anymore. I was tall now, a genetic experiment, and at the rate I was growing,
it would kill me sooner rather than later. Unless I was killed first. Which
I didn't expect to happen.
Our mission today was to penetrate
Chinese air space and intercept a convoy transporting a prisoner. But,
then Peter showed up with a change of plans. I wouldn't be going! I was
upset, as much by Peter's attitude as anything, but could think of no good
reason to countermand Peter's orders.
Until the choppers lifted off
and Petra emerged from the forest, and I figured out why Peter didn't want
me on the mission. The prisoner in the convoy was Achilles. Achilles whom
I had embarrassed and gotten kicked out of Battle School. Achilles, who
was most dangerous when he appeared to be the most useful. Achilles who
wanted to rule the world on his own, who would and had betrayed everyone
he had worked for, the most dangerous person in the world. Who would stop
at nothing to see me and Petra dead along with anybody else who got in
his way or had ever seen him vulnerable.
And, Peter thought he could
control the monster! I headed for the forest with Petra. "You're going
to quit, just as we're about to get things moving our way?" shouted Peter.
We didn't stop to argue. We had to get clear, somehow keep Peter alive,
and prevent the network of his network by Achilles.
We disappeared.
Sam Marsh for The
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award |
