Ok, Chapter 28. Wow, two chapters in one day. Haven't done that for a while. Well, call it the storm before the calm. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 28 Mars Rover Sabotage
The Next Morning – Steven's POV
I woke up the next morning feeling slightly worse for wear but better than most mornings during the week. We hadn't had that much of a late night yesterday, mainly because the pubs all shut at midnight and we'd drank all the alcohol we'd had back at our dorm, plus me and Luke were planning to call mum on webcam. Today was the day the latest Mars Rover probe was due to report back to NASA HQ in Houston. Mum had already sabotaged six this year alone. You see, Mars is home to many different alien races including one called the Ice Warriors. Mum had mentioned them in one of her stories before and I'd had Mr Smith give me some information on them. Apparently, they have left Mars by now and are travelling the stars.
I rolled over and smiled at the sight of Em lying still peacefully asleep on the camp bed I'd bought when I went shopping during the week. Em had complained that the floor had been uncomfortable so I promised her I'd get a camp bed for guests. I pulled back the covers, grabbed a pad of paper and scribbled a note for Em in case she woke up while I was talking to mum. Quietly, I pulled on a pair of old trainers I'd brought with me for wearing round the dorm and slipped out of the room, locking the door behind me and heading down to Luke's room. As soon as I was outside the door, it flew out as if Luke knew I was outside. "Hey" I said. "What's the big idea?"
"It's nearly time for the probe" Luke said, "Come on" He pulled into the room and over to the laptop, where Luke had already opened a web chat with mum. "Mum, Steven's here."
"Hey mum" I called. "So we're really gonna mess up another NASA Mars mission?"
"Hello Steven" Mum said, smiling. "And yes, there are something's we're just not ready to know yet. Beside, during my travels with the Doctor I found out we don't reach Mars until 2041."
"So, still another 30 years" Luke said. "Anyway, what time are Clyde and Rani...?"
Luke didn't need to ask that question as he began to speak, the attic door flew open and Clyde spilt into the attic. "Sarah Jane, have Luke and Ste called yet?" He asked before noticing us on the webcam. "Hey you two, you alright?"
"Apart from the fact all my flatmates eat are baked beans and curries" Luke said. "I'm fine."
"Same" I said. "Except the fact only one of my flatmates live off baked beans. And none of them eat curries."
"Right" Clyde said. "So, when exactly are we stopping this probe then?"
"Shortly" Mum said. "Mr Smith, I need you" She said, moving the webcam so me and Luke could watch the back wall of the attic transform into Mr Smith. "Mr Smith, hack into NASA probe feed. And then into the NASA control."
"Indeed Sarah Jane" The smooth voice of Mr Smith filled the attic. His screen changed into that of the satellite feed from the probe with the detail NASA was recording.
"Oh Boy, it's looking like a beautiful morning on Mars today. The dust storms have subsided; we've got a really clear view." The NASA control operator's voice said, as Mr Smith hacked into NASA Headquarters.
At that moment, Rani came busting through the attic door. "You'll never guess what mum's done" She said
"Hi there, guess what?" Clyde asked.
Luke piped up. "Hey, Rani, how are you?" He called
"Great, thanks, how's Oxford?" Rani asked.
"Just so brilliant" Luke answered, beaming at the sight. I had to admit, even though we both loved Oxford, we were missing home.
"Can you two keep it down?" Mum ordered. "We need to time this to the second."
"Mars probe, systems operational, continuing on programmed route." Came from the NASA controller.
"Is that Mars?" Rani asked.
"It's the feed from the latest Mars robot probe. Sarah Jane's about to upset NASA big time." Clyde said.
"The Mars rover will be in sight of target in 20 seconds" Mr Smith said. The screen split into two screens. One with the NASA info, another with no text or anything blocking the picture.
"How's everybody doing at school?" Luke decided to try and find out what he was missing at Park Vale.
"Clyde's still winding Dad up" Rani replied. "How are those uni mates getting on?"
"He says they live off baked beans and curry" Clyde said, telling Rani what me and Luke had told him only a few minutes ago. "Must be like living with the Slitheen." He joked. Me, Luke, Clyde and Rani all had a bit of a giggle.
Mum however remained intent on the images of Mr Smith's Screen. "Get ready, Mr Smith." She said.
"Approaching point of visibility" Mr Smith said, as what looked like the tip of a pyramid appeared on the horizon "Jamming signal, now." The NASA screen turned into static.
"Where did the signal go? We've lost contact with the probe." NASA HQ was in a frenzy.
"Powering down NASA probe" Mr Smith said as the full shape of a pyramid appeared before Mr Smith switched the probe off.
"Well done, Mr Smith!" Mum said.
"Looks like NASA just lost yet another Mars probe" I said, smiling.
"What was that, on the horizon?" Rani asked.
"An ancient civilisation, ancient and terrible." Mum said. I assumed she'd encountered them during her travels with the Doctor. "Some of Mars' secrets are best left undiscovered."
"Now that we're not keeping an eye on her, Mum sabotages NASA probes" Luke said.
"She's so out of control" Clyde joked.
"Only the ones heading for trouble." Mum said, trying to defend herself. "So 'guess what?' What?" Mum asked Rani.
"What? Oh! Where Mum's dragged my dad." Rani said, explaining that Gita had dragged Haresh off to a meeting of the Ealing branch of BURPSS.
"Right, anyway" Mum said, before turning the webcam back to her. "You two better be studying hard."
"Mum" I said. "Classes haven't started properly yet."
Mum was about to say something but Rani looked out of the window. "Hey, Mum and Dad are back. And Dad's looking round the yard with a wheel brace."
"Looks like you've got your work to do mum" I said. "Anyway, we've got guests to sort out."
"Who?" Clyde asked.
"Well, for a start your sisters" I said. "Plus Em's still asleep on my bedroom floor. And the guys from Croydon are here as well."
"Well, we'll let you two get back to them then" Mum said.
"Bye Mum" Luke called as he ended the chat. "So, going to get Em up?"
"Of course" I said. "Speak to you later." I left the room smiling. Me and Luke may of left Bannerman Road. But we were still part of the gang.
The Oxford adventure contiunes. Chapter 29 will be here either tomorrow or Monday. Please review and tell me what you think. Thanks. Kuyoyo
