Ear-piercing sirens screeched from the loudspeakers all across the academy. Everywhere Spader looked he saw frantic activity: aquaneers suiting up on the run, ships being launched, and people shouting instructions. But this was a training facility, not designed for military operations. Spader wondered if they’d have the means to take on armed raiders.
Then it hit him. His parents were on that ferry!
His fingers hit the throttle, and the sled zipped across the water. He zoomed out the academy gates, heading straight toward the fight.
His stomach tightened. There was blood in the water.
He gritted his teeth and urged the sled to go faster. He glanced up to check the distance, and his heart nearly stopped.
His father was out on deck—trading punches with a raider!
Spader made a sharp turn, sending up spray, and pulled alongside the vessel. He wanted to board behind the raider. That would give him the advantage of surprise.
He leaped from his sled and grabbed the handholds on the side of the ship. He scrambled up and flung himself onto the raider’s back. He shoved his arm across the raider’s throat and yanked back, hard.
“Vo!” Spader’s father, Benn, looked startled and then grinned. “Glad you’re here, laddie!”
The raider shoved his fingers between Spader’s arm and his neck. He brought his shoulder up sharply, knocking Spader’s jaw.
Spader’s head whipped back and his hold loosened. The raider squirmed out of his grip, but Benn Spader was on him.
“No, you don’t!” Benn shouted. “Grab him!” He pushed the raider back into Spader. Spader was ready for him—he gripped the man’s arms tightly.
The raider lurched and lunged, desperate to break free. He kicked out at Benn, who quickly grabbed his legs.
“Man overboard!” Spader cried.
Together he and his father hurled the raider over the rail and into the water below.
There were splashes all around the ship as raiders dropped off the boat. They swam toward their vessel.
“Was it something I said?” Spader joked.
“They didn’t like the new odds,” Benn said. He pointed to the academy boats heading their way.
“I think they just didn’t want to have to face Benn Spader and son!”
“Come on,” Benn said. “We need to check on your mum.”
They hurried below. Spader saw ten parent types huddled together in the cabin. A woman with a single dramatic gray streak in her dark hair stood when they entered.
“Vo! Benn!” Ginja Spader cried.
Spader’s body flooded with relief when he saw his mum. She looked frightened, but fine.
“No worries, Mum,” Spader said. “All spiff here.”
“What are you doing on board?” she asked, folding him into a hug.
“Just had to check up on you and Pop,” Spader said.
The first of the academy aquaneers boarded, weapons at the ready.
Benn held up a hand. “We’re all under control down here.”
“There weren’t very many of them,” one of the other parents added.
“They seemed to know that tomorrow is graduation day,” Ginja Spader said.
The aquaneer nodded and reholstered his weapon. “Makes sense. Hit the boat carrying parents, knowing they’d probably be bringing gifts and grentons with them.”
“They—they got some of the pilot’s crew,” Benn said.
“That’s how they usually operate,” the aquaneer said gravely. “Is everyone all right here? Anyone need medical attention?”
After organizing the few people with injuries, the aquaneer crew went up to the pilot house to bring the ship in. Soon they were safely arriving at the academy. Everyone on the dock let out a cheer.
Spader gave a big wave and hopped onto the dock. He was instantly surrounded by his friends, thumping him on the back and congratulating him. Min raced up to her parents and disappeared into their arms.
A man strode over to Spader and stuck out his beefy hand. “Well done, mate. Nice to see a young person showing such courage and initiative.”
“Thanks,” Spader said.
“I’m Chi Watsu,” the man said.
Aha, Spader thought. Per’s father. Per was a shorter, slimmer version.
“If you ever need a job, there’s always a place in my shipyard. We need motivated young people like you.”
Behind Mr. Watsu, Spader saw Per glowering.
“Too bad my own son doesn’t show such initiative,” Chi Watsu added. “Maybe then he’d—”
Before Mr. Watsu could finish the thought, an announcement came over the loudspeaker.
“Vo Spader, please report to the dean’s office. Immediately.”
Mr. Watsu gave Spader a light punch on the arm. “Must be about giving you a commendation.”
Spader smiled weakly. That hadn’t sounded like a “come on in and get a medal” announcement.