DAMN! SHE'S HOT!

Clemont was sitting by himself nearly a hundred yards away from the camp, leaning against a tree. He was drawing in the dirt with a stick, doing mathematical equations, something he did when he was upset. He didn't notice Korrina until she was standing a few yards from him.

  "May I sit down?" Korrina asked.

  "Free world," Clemont said. "At least until the Galactic take over."

   Korrina sat down cross-legged a few feet from him. She picked up a rock and rolled it in her hands. For a long time neither of them spoke.

  "They estimate that there are seven and a half trillion trees in the Amazon rain forest," Clemont said. "That one right there is called a strangler fig. The Peruvians call it matapalo, the killer tree. It starts when a bird drops its seed up in a tree and the strangler fig grows down to the ground until it chokes out the host tree and takes its place."

  "That's interesting," Korrina said. After another moment she said, "It's not your fault, you know."

  "I let my best friend down. I wasn't loyal."

  "Did you want him to stay?"

   He looked up angrily. "No! Of course not."

  "Then you honored his wishes from him even when you did not want to. That's loyalty, is not it?"

   Clemont couldn't answer.

  "Serena doesn't really think it's your fault either."

  "You could have fooled me."

  "Sometimes people are like that. When we're upset at someone and they're not around, we take it out on whoever is close. Even people we love. Serena's afraid for Ash and so she's upset. And since he isn't here, she took it out on you. Does that make sense?"

  Clemont sighed. "I guess so."

  "The truth is, no matter what anyone said back there, if it wasn't for you, we'd all still be locked up at the academy. All of us, including Ash." Clemont looked up to see her gazing at him. "You're the smartest person I've ever met. And you're smarter than any us. You're our only hope of saving Ash." She looked at him for a moment, then leaned forward, staring him directly in the eyes. "Ash needs you. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and save him."

  "Do you think I can save him?"

  "I know you can save him. And I know you can save us." She leaned back.

   Clemont stared at the ground for a moment. When he lifted his head his expression of him had changed. He looked like himself again.

  "Let's break down our situation into its individual components. We're hiding in a tropical rain forest next to a seemingly impenetrable fortress with two thousand armed guards, huge electric fences, and ubiquitous camera surveillance. Our original way into the compound through the ranch entrance is no longer an option, and our second route was locked off by Ash.

  "Our foe seems all-powerful, but if history has taught us anything, it's that everyone and everything has a weakness—you just have to find it. My weakness is jelly donuts. Your weakness is dehydration, or lack of water." His brow of him furrowed. "Zeus's weakness is also water." Suddenly his face of him animated. "That's it!" He clapped his hands together. "That's their weakness!"

  "What?" Korrina asked.

  "Water! They built protection around the power plant but not their water source." I have jumped up. "I know how to shut them down."

  "Explain," Korrina said, smiling at his enthusiasm of him.

  "To power two million homes, their plant would have to create nearly twenty billion kilowatt hours of electricity. That's twice the energy of a standard nuclear power plant. Given that the Galactic's power creation is three times more efficient than a steam-turbine system, I'm guessing that the rats are generating heat close to one thousand degrees Fahrenheit. That's why they built the plant next to a river--without water the bowl would melt down in a matter of minutes. Or even if it didn't, the heat would kill the rats. No rats, no electricity. No electricity, no lights, no cameras, no electric locks, and no electric fences." Clemont grabbed Korrina's hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on, we've got to tell the others."

   In Clemont's absence, the group had moved a couple of hundred feet from the pipe to a more concealed location. Everyone was sitting or lying down when Clemont and Korrina rushed into the clearing.

  "I know how we can save Ash!" Clemont shouted.

   Serena stood. "How?"

  "Everyone gather round," Clemont said, standing next to Zeus. They formed a crescent around him, Korrina holding on to Clemont's arm.

  "Here's the gist of it," Clemont said. "Just north of the compound is the Galactic pump house. That's where they bring in the water from the river to cool the Starxource plant. It's outside or the compound. If we blow the pump house, their grid will heat up to a thousand degrees within minutes. So even if the grid doesn't melt down, the heat will kill all the rats and still shut down their power. The entire compound is electric, so if they lose their power they lose their cameras, alarms, intercoms, and light. Which means the prisoners can escape."

  "Don't they have backup power?" Zeus asked.

  "They have two backup generators run by diesel," Clemont said. "But even if they could get their generators up, it would take at least five to ten minutes to get them online. And they would only enough power for the compound. The rest of Peru would go dark." Suddenly a grin crossed Clemont's face. "Wait, I've got an even better idea. We also blow the generators! All that diesel fuel would create a massive explosion that would set fire to the camp. It will take hundreds of guards to fight it. Between that and all the escaping prisoners, we'll practically be able to walk in and get Ash."

  "Brilliant," Brock said.

  "But how do we blow the pump house?" Serena asked.

  "Dynamite," Clemont said.

  "Last I checked we're completely out," Drew said sardonically.

  "Where do we get dynamite?" Serena asked.

  "I don't know," Clemont said. "But this is the jungle and jungle people use dynamite for clearing trees and mining. I'm hoping that Raúl knows where to find some." He looked around. "Where is Raúl?"

  "We don't know," Shauna said. "No one could understand him. He took Calem's knife and ran out into the forest."

   Clemont looked puzzled. "Did he say anything?"

   Calem looked at Shauna. "Something like saliva."

   Clemont's brow furrowed. "Saliva?"

   Shauna said, "No, it was more like ... saliba. Salvia. Maybe, sabila."

   "Sábila," Clemont repeated. "Of course. For Zeus."

  "He was looking at Zeus when he said it," Shauna said.

  "He must know where he can find some."

  "Find what?" Calem asked.

  "Aloe vera. It's a cactus-like plant that grows in Peru and is useful for treating burns," Clemont said. "While we're waiting for Raúl we need to make our plan. Brock, the generators are on the north side of the plant. There should be some big fuel tanks."

  "I think I see them," Brock said, standing up and looking toward the compound. "There are two huge tanks aboveground, then a couple dozen oil barrels stacked near them."

  "Can you tell if they're full?"

  "All except two."

  "Perfect," Clemont said. "So first we set the dynamite at the pump. The generators are going to be trickier because they're behind the fence."

  "We could throw the dynamite," Calem said. "If it's not too far."

  "It's not," Brock said. "But then how do we detonate it?"

  "Zeus could do it," Calem said. "Couldn't you?"

   Zeus nodded weakly. "If I can get there, I can. Back at the academy I used to set off firecrackers all the time."

  "I'll get you there," Calem said.

   Clemont continued, "While the guards are trying to put out the fire, we'll blow the pump house. Then the bowl will melt down, the power go out, and in all the confusion, Brock, Korrina, Serena, and I will slip in through the east fence to save Ash."

  "Where am I while this is happening?" Calem asked.

  "After we blow the pump house, you and Zeus will stay with the rest of the Electroclan. If something goes wrong, you get them to the village. Raúl knows his way through the jungle. In the village he can hide you."

   Calem nodded. "Good plan."

  "When do we do it?" Serena asked.

  "Tomorrow, after dark. It's also best if we wait until their feeding time--that's when the bowl will be at its hottest." Clemont looked at them all. "Are you with me?"

  "I'm with you," Korrina said.

  "Me too," Serena said.

  "I'm in," Calem said. "So is Drew."

  "It could work," Brock said. "What do we do first?"

  "First thing we need to do is get the dynamite. Let's just hope Raúl knows where to find some."

  "Let's just hope Raúl comes back," Calem said.

* * *

   Raúl returned to the camp about a half hour later carrying half a dozen large, dull-green serrated leaves. He set them down on the ground near Zeus, then knelt beside him.

"Yep, aloe vera," Clemont said. "It's a natural remedy for burns."

   Zeus looked at the moist leaves fearfully. "It may burn me more," he said.

  "Let me try just a little," Clemont said. He took a leaf from Raúl. He squeezed some save from it onto his finger, then lightly touched it to Zeus's skin. There was no electric reaction. "Looks good," Clemont said.

  "All right," Zeus said.

  Clemont nodded to Raúl. "Okay."

  "Okay," Raúl said. He split a leaf, then began applying the salve Zeus's burned flesh, murmuring something to Clemont as he worked.

  "He said this will help," Clemont said.

  "Let's hope so," Calem said.

   Shauna continued to hold Zeus's hand.

  "How are you holding up?" Zeus asked Shauna. She was weary from her constant exertion of her, but she forced a smile. "Still better than you."

   As Raúl worked, Clemont explained his plan, then the two of them had a long discussion. When it was over, Clemont said, "Raúl knows where we can find dynamite. It's about a three-hour walk from here. But he'll need help carrying it."

  "Someone's going to carry dynamite for three hours through a slippery jungle?" Drew said. "That sounds like a death wish.''

  "Drew and I will go," Calem said.

  "What?" Drew said.

  "Someone's got to do it," Calem said. "We'll do it."

   Drew just shook his head.

   Raúl handed Calem's knife back to him, then pointed to Calem and Drew and said something.

  "He said you should leave a little before sunrise," Clemont said.

   Calem nodded. "Sí."

   Drew looked distressed. "Great. I won't even get a last meal. "

* * *

   As darkness fell, Mrs. Ketchum approached Clemont, who was sketching out a map of the compound in the dirt. "Clemont?"

   He looked up. "Yes, Mrs. Ketchum?"

  "It's really a great plan you came up with."

   Clemont blushed. "Thank you."

   She kissed Clemont on the forehead. "You're a good friend to Ash. That's why he loves you so much. And when we get back to Idaho, I'm making you waffles."

   Clemont pumped his fist. "Yes!"

   Clemont was still smiling when Serena approached him a few minutes later.

  "Hey," she said.

   Clemont looked up.

  "About your idea," Serena said. "It's brilliant."

  "Thanks."

   She took a deep breath. "Look, I'm sorry about what I said earlier. It wasn't your fault. I was just upset."

  "I know," Clemont said.

  "You do?"

   He nodded.

  "I was afraid you wouldn't know that. I mean, you're so smart about everything except girls. Well, girls and pretty much anything social. . ."

  "Korrina explained it to me," Clemont said.

  "Oh," Serena said. "I feel awful about what I said about you being a bad friend. You're not. You're a great friend." She looked into his eyes. "Can you forgive me?"

  "Yes."

  "I know I tease you a lot, but I'm glad we're friends, too."

  "Really?" Clemont asked.

   Serena nodded. "Really."

   Clemont put out his fist. "Bones?"

   Serena smiled and put out hers. "Bones."

2025