Bones in the Sand, Julie Steimle [best books to read for students .TXT] 📗

standing at Mr. Humphries's bidding.

"Evolution?" Zormna repeated, her chest heaving, as she really hated that word.

"Oh no..." Jeff muttered, sliding down in his seat. He had heard from Jennifer about Zormna's war against the term.

Brian peeked at him, wondering.

Bristling, she said, "Is it arrogant to assume that the human body does its job well? How can that squid thing really manipulate machinery as well as a human? I don't care if that thing is described as all brain and hands. More like a swelled head and floppy arms. He described a beast without depth or compassion. The word humane comes from the basis that the unique depth of character allows compassion for the weak and suffering, as well as caring for creatures besides our own. Humans are the only creature that create preserves and refuges for competing species."

Mr. Humphries nodded. "A point well noted. Does anyone have a response?"

Several hands went up. Michael seemed insistent to stand, but Mr. Humphries chose Joseph Pearson.

The tall basketball player stood up. "I think, Zormna, you should also remember that humans are also the type of creature that would commit suicide, genocide, and fratricide. We're animals. And I think H.G. Wells is showing us that the advancements of the brain and hands are a perfection greater than us. Therefore, the more advanced Martians are not squid people but intelligent and skilled creatures of another stage."

Zormna grimaced. "You might be an animal. But I am not."

Joseph bristled.

Jeff raised his hand.

Mr. Humphries saw at him and chose him, even though others had raised their hands. Many were eager to get into the discussion and refute Zormna's 'silly' remark.

Jeff stood up. "I'd actually have to agree with Zormna."

The entire class looked up at him in astonishment. Usually Jeff would watch the debates in silence and stroll out of the class without getting involved. Besides, he didn't seem like he'd take any discussion like this seriously.  

Jeff explained. "From what I read these alien squid things, smart as they are," he said looking at Joseph, "are heartless and cruel. Humans may have a wretched history, but we also have made great moral improvements. Nations help starving nations without reward or profit. If these creatures really were more advanced than us, wouldn't you think they would have more heart and soul?"

A murmur rumbled though the class. Mr. Humphries even nodded, waiting for more. Jeff sat down. Zormna smiled to herself. He had said what she had meant.

Michael raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Peterson?" his teacher acknowledged him.

The boy stood up. "Who says they don't? But the Martians in the book came to Earth because they were starving so they had to kill for food."

Zormna groaned, realizing that no one but Jeff would see it her way. She finally she sat down.

Joy raised her hand the stood up. "But couldn't an advanced race create a better food source? What about vegetarianism?"

Another rumble went though the class. Mr. Humphries could see the discussion was deteriorating so he decided to stop it before it became an angry debate.

"Alright. I see we have given this reading much thought. Now I want you all to write a paper about how you feel about what we discussed today. Is H.G. Wells' description of the aliens good? Or could it be improved? Write at least three paragraphs. Due on Monday."

Mr. Humphries sat down at his desk and looked out at the class. Zormna still looked perturbed, but she was taking it out on paper. Jeff glanced up at him once and smirked. Like always, he started his paper with less vigor, though undoubtedly he would do an excellent job. The rest of the class went at it with less intent, excluding Michael Peterson and Joseph Pearson, who both were working out their debates in great detail. Mr. Humphries smiled. He loved enthusiasm.

Professor Pratte sighed as he sipped his coffee. He watched Agent Sicamore talk to his operatives at some distant place, perhaps regulating some other part of their secret project in another state, maybe another dig. He didn't care. But he could see that the FBI agent was anxious about some outside interference. Sicamore had been checking with his operatives twice daily, and that worried him...because what worried the FBI would be pretty bad.

Agent Sicamore looked up at him and smiled. He pressed the off button to his cell phone looking pleased with himself. Pratte watched him beckon Agents Palmer and Powell close, whispering what he had heard to them. Their faces reflected relief and satisfaction. The FBI agent then walked toward Professor Pratte and took a cup to fill it with coffee.

"All is well on the home front, Mr. Sicamore?" Prof. Pratte asked.

Agent Sicamore smiled. "So far, anyway. How about on your end? How soon do you think we can be done unearthing all the bones and the space ship?"

The professor sighed. "There seems to be some trouble unearthing the sides and the front of the ship. The metal on the front is of a coarser, more porous material, and the sides seem to have fins. And there are vents that are clinging to the rock. I think it will be another week and a half before it is completely out."

Sicamore nodded. "Well, as long as we get it out soon...." He took a long drink of his coffee.

Professor Pratte sighed. "May I ask? But what are we rushing for? Is someone looking for this ship besides you?"

The FBI agent glanced momentarily at the college professor. He took another sip of the dregs of his coffee and adjusted his belt. "That's really no concern of yours, Professor, if you don't mind."

Professor Pratte sighed and nodded. Perhaps Professor Dumas was right. The FBI had its own agenda. Would the FBI allow them to get credit for their discovery, or would it be taken from them? That doubt had never plagued Professor Pratte before. Up until then he had called Prof. Dumas a paranoid old fart, but now it was different. He began to see how Agent Sicamore was keeping things back. It felt as if the FBI's presence at this dig was part of a larger scheme, and he would only be played for a sap when it was all over. The professor wanted his credit. He earned his credit. It was his dig and the FBI shouldn't be able to take it from him. It was he who discovered the helmet. It was he who discovered the biological differenced between that man and the other buried skeletons, and it was he who guessed that there might be a spaceship around. Professor Pratt felt the sinking dark feeling that his students had been warning him about.

What was the FBI really up to?

Chapter Nine: The Window Seat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" 'The fifth cylinder,' I whispered,

'the fifth shot from Mars, has struck this house and buried us under the ruins!'" p. 96

 

 

The mall was always a great place to go on Friday nights. And showing at the Cineplex there was a science fiction sequel which Brian was dying to see. Brian brought it up during lunch and exuberantly begged all of them go together to watch it. Jeff chimed in that it was a great idea while Zormna moaned. And all the others were more than game. Of course, that meant that Joy would have to give Zormna those books she promised her later - or so Zormna had thought until Joy and Brian handed her a copy of a King James version Bible and a book they called the triple combination, all wrapped in a handy little carrying bag at the front of the theater.

Zormna hadn't expected this, but she thanked them politely and stuffed the gift in her enormous shopping bag containing their newly purchased large backpacks she had bought with Jeff that day. Jeff was carrying the bag with their mummy sleeping bags and was standing behind her when she received the books. With private smiles, he watched Brian peek at him as he delivered the books to Zormna. Brian said nothing to Jeff, almost blushing, but he spoke sincerely to Zormna as he said, "We really want you to read them. They're important to us."

"Ok," she said, making sure the books and the little carrier fit into her bag.

That was when Mark and Jonathan walked up to the four of them. Adam was following, shaking his head and grinning at the exchange. Clearly he thought as he had before, but he had become wiser not to mention it.  

"Ready to see Star Pirates II?" Mark asked, smiling. Clutched almost greedily in his hands was a grocery bag containing red licorice and boxed theater candy.

Brian shook his head disapprovingly, though he was smirking at his friend. "You'd better hide that bag, or they won't let you in."

Mark grinned wider. "This jacket has inside pockets."

Jonathan laughed and joined Adam, who was already heading toward the ticket line. The others followed.

Amused, Zormna's eyes then scanned over the crowd at the theater. Brian followed her line of sight, as he could tell she was looking for someone, but he didn't see any of Zormna's other friends there, except....

"Hey Zormna!" Darren Asher crossed through the long line.

Zormna grinned at him with unaccountable approval.

When Adam Arbor saw him he groaned. Mark jabbed him in the back and turned to Jonathan, who immediately massaged his forehead as they had only tolerated Darren at lunch because Zormna would leave if they treated him badly.

"Are you coming to the movie with us?" Brian asked, trying to be nice for Zormna's sake.

Darren shook his head with a small step back. "No, I just came to get something at the computer store."

Jeff grinned at him with a peek at Zormna.

She nodded as she said, "Well, Darren, could you do me a favor and take these bags back for me? You can leave them on the back porch."

Zormna shoved her shopping bags into Darren's hands. Jeff grinned and also handed him his bag. Darren tried to look annoyed at being put upon, but Brian could tell that he was pleased by the request.

"Oh, all right," Darren murmured.

"Thanks." Jeff said with a mocking smirk then turned to join his group in the ticket line.

Brian gaped at Jeff for a second, but Zormna patted Darren on the back and thanked him more politely.

"Thank you so much. I don't think Jeff's motorcycle would have had room for us and those bags."

Zormna joined the line, and Darren went on his way. But Brian watched the boy heft up the bags Zormna and Jeff had given him, cheerily leaving as if it had been his design after all. Darren didn't even stop at the computer store like he said he was going to do.

"Brian, are you coming?" Mark called back.

Brian nodded and joined his friends in the line. He glanced back once more at Darren as he walked out the mall doors.

"Zormna," Brian followed up to her, "What was in those bags?"

Blinking back at him with those dark green eyes, she seemed surprised. Yet she said, "Oh, camping items. I remember your father mentioning we ought to have some kind of emergency grab-and-go kit. So Jeff and I figured we ought to make one. We were going to get the rest of the supplies later."

Brian nodded slowly,