Project X-Calibur (19 page)

44

NOBODY IS QUITE SURE
why I could bond withX-Calibur in a way that nobody else could. The techs have suggested bio-signature mumbo-jumbo, and Merlin seems to think the ship just likes me because I'm a nice guy.

In the hours following my return to HQ, there was much to be happy about. Ivy, Darla, Kwan, and Tyler had defeated the alien fighter ships. With the mothership blown into oblivion, we'd won the war, and mankind was safe—for now. Merlin, Pellinore, Malcolm, and everyone else who worked for the RTR had escaped with their lives. There'd been plenty of scrapes and bruises and concussions, but that seemed like a small price to pay, especially considering that HQ had been ninety percent destroyed. Malcolm congratulated me, but I still think he would have preferred being the one to square off against Dredmore. I also think he's a little jealous of my burned leg and limp, although they'll heal soon enough. Until then, I'll have to tolerate all the attention it's getting me (and the attention from Ivy isn't so bad).

The residents of London still aren't sure what happened in their city that day. Some claim that entire blocks were destroyed by gas leaks brought on by an earthquake. Others claim they saw something sinister in the sky, but nobody could say what. And the explosions in the sky? “Atmospheric reflections” of the explosions that were taking place on the ground. A one-in–a-million occurrence, the scientists on TV claimed. If there's one thing I learned, it's that people will believe just about
anything
before they believe that aliens exist.

Lately, I've been wondering a lot about fate and destiny. If Malcolm hadn't been knocked unconscious at the celebration party, I might not have been the one to get inside X-Calibur and finally realize what it can do. Do I believe, like Merlin does, that there are no accidents? I can't say for sure. Is there more of my life already written in the stars? More stories left to tell?

What I do know is that the RTR must rebuild. When Merlin first brought me to London, I had envisioned a time when this would be over, when I'd be able to go home and resume my average life. But I realize that's impossible now. Even if Dredmore is dead, who knows what else might be waiting to take another stab at wiping out mankind?

I can never go back to my old life now. I know too much. I've seen too much.

The thing is, I feel lucky. Some people have to wait their entire lives to find out who they're supposed to be. I'm just thirteen years old, and I already know. I'm a modern-day knight, and my mission is to protect mankind. From here on out, I plan to give that everything I've got. Because that's what Dad would do.

And you know what? I'm pretty sure he's proud of me.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book would not exist (or kick as much butt as it does!) without these amazing people. A huge thanks:

To everyone at Penguin: Pete Harris, for his awesome support from day one; Jen Besser, for getting the ball rolling and giving me much-needed encouragement right out of the gate; and Ari Lewin and Paula Sadler, for really digging in and making it happen and being cool and
nice
to me every step of the way.

To my managers at Magnet Management, for being with me on my professional writing journey since the beginning.

To a few friends who were instrumental in encouraging me over the years: Steve Sfetku, Jeff Masley, and Jim Brooks.

To Aunt Terry, Uncle Dave (I wish you were here to read this), and Aunt Maria, for always making an effort to show that family is important.

To my brother, David, for sending me an e-mail after I moved to L.A. and telling me that in the eyes of everyone back home, I had “already made it.” That e-mail meant a lot to me. Rock and roll! Keep the faith!

To Julie, for the good times. The good ones weren't just good, they were great; I will never forget them.

To my parents, P.J. and Lorraine (I call them Mom and Dad), for being the best parents a son could ever have. We can't choose our parents, but I lucked out; if we could choose, I'd still choose mine. There are no words big enough to describe how much love and respect I have for them both.

And lastly, to my daughter, Abigail. Nothing is more valuable to me than knowing she'll read this book one day and understand that dreams can come true, because one of them has come true for me. My greatest wish is that she'll have the courage and determination to chase some fantastic dreams of her own.