A/N - Since the Maximum Ride novels are set in this time period, and Dragonriders of Pern novels are set into the future, I had to be creative. From the time of first landing (i.e. Dragonsdawn) to the 9th Pass (i.e. original trilogy, which this story is based) is approximately 2,000 years give or take. Besides that, Dragonsdawn, the prequel that explains a lot, is set in the future to begin with. If you haven't read the DRoP books this doesn't make sense, but I hope I explained this throughly. If you still have questions, don't be afraid to ask! ENJOY THE FANFIC!
"For the thousandth time, Gazzy, I don't know!" I turned around, determined not to blow a gasket. We were walking up to a giant hanger that had NASA on the sign. That's right, NASA, the fancy space program. They had specifically asked for me and my flock to come down here. And now, Gazzy was beside himself with excitement, wanting to know everything right this second. Jeb had tagged along, but was being very quiet.
"Hey, relax, Max." Said Fang in his calm, almost monotonous tone of voice. "He IS only eight, you know."
I turned my head to Fang. At the moment, his black hair covered both eyebrows, giving him an even more handsome appearance; And that was just fine with me.
"Okay, Mr. Know-It-All, since you have such good advice, why don't you take over being the flock leader?" Fang kept an emotionless expression; Something he was too good it.
"Why would I want your job when your such a great leader already?" He smirked, a half grin appearing on his face.
"Someone's coming to great us." Said Iggy. That really freaked me out because, in case you didn't know, Iggy's blind. The scientists who gave us our wings also tried to enhance Iggy's eyesight. Fortunately for Iggy, he can at least feel colors (another gift from the scientists: we have freaky abilities), so he isn't completely blind.
"Hello, and you must be Max." The man said, glancing around at the other five kids in front of him. "Would you care to introduce your family here?"
"Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel." I said, pointing to each. "And you would be?" The man grinned.
"I am Tom Hewburg, but please, call me Tom. I am the one who asked you to come here today. If you would please, follow me and I will explain the details." I noticed that Tom completely disregarded Jeb's presence. "NASA, as you know, has conducted numerous space expeditions, even in your own lifetime. We have asked you all here today for one very simple reason: To help be a part of it." I glanced at my flock to see their reactions. They were speechless.
"You mean, we get to go up into space?!" Nudge asked. Hewburg laughed and patted Nudge's shoulder.
"That's exactly what I mean, kids. We want to send you into space!" Before he could continue, another man came up and started talking.
"You must be the ones! I knew that having you bird kids help on a missing would really help the community! And, it would even help you guys. Aren't you supposed to save the world? Well maybe you do that by detecting a stray meteor or some other danger. What do you say kids?"
I turned to my flock, who all looked excited. Angel and Nudge both gave me a thumbs up; Iggy grinned and high-fived Gazzy. Even the strong Fang cracked a smile. I knew the decision.
"When do we go up into space?" Both men laughed, and I noticed that Jeb looked pale. He hadn't wanted us to go into space.
"You guys go ahead and wait in that room," Jeb said pointing, "I'll be there in a minute." As we left I couldn't help but be excited about this mission. Maybe in order to save the world I had to go into space.
"This isn't over, Hewburg." Jeb said angrily, "Your putting them in too much danger." Jeb walked off, leaving the two men.
"Boy, dad doesn't seem too happy about all this, does he?" Garner asked. Hewburg chuckled.
"Indeed not. I had assumed that anyone would be more than happy to have their child sent into space. I guess not."
"Well, if it's any consolation, I think what your doing is great. I mean, who else in this business would let six kids under the age of sixteen go up into space to help study it? Oh, by the way, how's the P.E.R.N. mission going?" Hewburg smiled to himself, thinking of what Garner didn't know.
"We've had some problems. The ship made it safely, but the stupid launcher somehow sent them several thousand years into the future. Fortunately, our new transportation device has been fitted with the capabilities to time travel into the future, so the examination will go on." Garner was surprised.
"Wow, that's great news! Oops, I have to be in the chairman's office in two minutes… bye!" Garner shot off like a bullet, leaving Hewburg to his thoughts. No one knew that he had assigned the flock to be sent to Pern along with the team. It was all going to work out. It always did for him.
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