The Dino-soarer had been in the air for almost an hour. Spynosaur had barely said a word since they left Egypt. He hadn’t even reported in to M11. He just sat in the pilot’s seat, staring out over the sky. Amber had never known him so quiet – he didn’t even make any bad puns. It was very unnerving.
I’m starting to think we’re walking into a trap.
Amber’s ears rang with her father’s words. Traps had never seemed to bother her dad in the past… But now it seemed like every time they worked out Ergo Ego’s next move, Ego was already one step ahead.
“Dad, it’s the Department 6 top-secret transmission channel!” said Amber.
Spynosaur let out a low growl. He narrowed his eyes and pressed a button on the control panel. M11’s flustered face appeared on screen.
“M11,” Spynosaur said. “It’s not a good time.”
“Not a good— Blast it to smithereens, Spynosaur, report!” barked M11. “We haven’t heard from you since you set off for Cairo. Did you blow up the pyramids? Please tell me you didn’t blow up the pyramids…”
“Nope! Just the Sphinx!” declared Amber from over her dad’s scaly shoulder.
“Just the Sphinx? You mean, just the immeasurably significant ancient historical monument?” howled M11. “This is why I have a stomach ulcer the size of a baby’s f ist, Spynosaur! Did you at least secure the McGuffin?”
“Even better!” Amber replied. “We know where Ergo Ego is planning to—”
“Nothing to report, M11,” interrupted Spynosaur, jabbing Amber with his tail. “Just more duff McGuffins and dead ends… The trail went cold in Egypt.”
Amber immediately replayed that last moment in her head. Her dad had lied to M11. Spies lied to everyone … except other spies. She watched M11’s moustache twitch with suspicion.
“I don’t need to tell you that if Ego unleashes his super-secret weapon, it’s not going to look good on our annual report,” M11 said. “We must do whatever it takes to stop him, so if you know something you’re not telling me, then you’d jolly well better—”
“You’re breaking up, M11,” said Spynosaur. With that, he punched the screen with his clawed fist, sending sparks flying across the cockpit. “Bad signal. Call you later.”
“Uh, you know there’s an ‘Off’ button just there…” Amber muttered.
Spynosaur activated the autopilot and turned to his daughter.
“Listen to me,” he said, placing his claws on Amber’s shoulders. “Being a spy is about trusting your instincts. And staying cool under pressure … and blowing things up … and being incredibly impressive … but mostly it’s about trusting your instincts. And my instincts tell me that bringing the Department in on this is a mistake. My instincts tell me I have to do this alone.”
“Danger Monkey smells funny anyway… OK, fine!” Amber huffed. “We’ll do it on our own.”
“No, not us,” said Spynosaur. “Just me.”
“Wait, just you without me? No way!” cried Amber, recoiling. “We’re a team! You’re the super-secret agent dinosaur and I’m your super-secret-agent-in-training sidekick!”
“But my instincts—” began Spynosaur.
“Your instincts also told you it’s a trap!” Amber cried. “And last time you went to the Bermuda Triangle you got shot into the moon! I remember, ’cos I saw it happen! And I don’t want you to get shot into the moon again, because I don’t want to lose you again!”
“I’m sorry … but my mind is made up,” said Spynosaur firmly.
“But—”
“You’re staying put – that’s an order,” added Spynosaur. “Do you understand?”
“Yeah,” his daughter replied. “I s’pose.”
But Amber Gambit had no intention of doing what she was told.