Fifth-grader Star Bell has a date with Logan, a nosy best friend, and two very big secrets. Logan promises her secret adventures. His promise is broken when Crystal figures it out and wants to join in. Along the way, Star discovers that her other secret might change the world. Star, Logan, and Crystal explore a magical portal to make-believe realms of adventure, mystery, and danger. In a virtual world created by a secret book-reading research computer called SIMMER, they can participate in any storybook adventure they choose. From a turbulent flying carpet ride fleeing an evil magician, to swashbuckling sword fights with lusty pirates, to a frightening encounter with the ghost of an orbiting space station-it's a dream come true for the three friends. But their fun may come with a catch. Their adventures differ from the storybook versions, and Star suspects their make-believe actions might actually cause harm in the real world. The only way Star can persuade her friends of the potential gravity of their situation is to lead them on a daring adventure of her choice. Risking real harm if she is right, hoping she is wrong, will she reveal the one secret that may explain everything?
STAR OF THE FUTURE
By S.P. PeroneiUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 Sam P. Perone
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4502-6859-2Chapter One
CRYSTAL AND LOGAN
Star Bell had a secret.
No, not that BIG secret that she couldn't tell anyone ... ever ... not even her very best friend, Crystal.
Star kept the big secret by simply never thinking about it.
But she couldn't stop thinking about what Logan had whispered to her ...
Star had wanted more information. But Logan had donned his jet-shoes and scooted off to the Dome with the other sixth-grade boys on his Space Trooper team. Logan had shouted over his shoulder that the team had reached the world cyberspace semifinals.
Star couldn't have cared less.
But she did care about Logan—much more than any of the boys in her own fifth-grade study pod. Most boys were, well, annoying.
But not Logan.
He was ... what? Grown-up? Interesting?
Star didn't know.
She did know that Logan liked her. NO—not like that, she caught herself.
Logan was a friend—like Crystal—but a boy. Wasn't that okay?
Star suddenly remembered her homework. Her hands fluttered over the three-dimensional keyboard image floating on her lap. She leaned back against the bed's headboard and switched off her headset. Instantly, the homework questions vanished from her vision. She hadn't been paying attention anyway.
Star replayed Logan's whispered secret in her mind.
She smiled. This wasn't anything like the big secret. This was exciting. This would be fun.
But Logan had warned her—Don't tell anybody!
Surely he didn't mean she couldn't tell Crystal, she thought.
Star switched the headset back on. The homework images reappeared, but she quickly punched in Crystal's access code.
Crystal's big hazel eyes and curly black hair appeared. "Hi, Star!" Crystal exclaimed, exposing big white teeth in a broad smile. "Did you catch the Venus Dolls concert? They broadcast direct from New Mars City!"
"No, I was doing math," Star replied.
"Yucch!" Crystal made a face. Then she added, excitedly, "Barbie Ringo was so supernova! She wore that grandy silver outfit. So coool!"
"Crystal, I have to tell you something," Star blurted.
Crystal blinked, and her face showed concern. "What is it?"
Star shook her head. "It's nothing bad."
Crystal peered back, waiting for Star to speak.
"It's about Logan—" Star began.
"What?" Crystal interrupted. "When did you see him?" Her eyes narrowed.
Star didn't need to be reminded that Crystal didn't like Logan. Crystal didn't like any boys. Not that she could blame her. But Logan was different ...
"Crystal, cut it out," Star shot back. "Logan's nice."
"So, what did he do?"
"He didn't do anything," Star insisted. "It's what he's planning to do."
"Logan and his friends couldn't do anything I'd be interested in," Crystal sniffed.
"Don't be mean. He's doing something nice." Star glared at Crystal.
Crystal made a sour face and rolled her eyes.
Star reacted by angrily tearing off the headset and banishing Crystal's face. Crystal might beg her to tell, but Star would never, never, ever ...
* * *
Later that same evening, with her homework finished, Star received a call from Logan. She adjusted her headset, and Logan's ruddy face appeared. "Tomorrow, after school," Logan announced excitedly, "we can get into my dad's lab."
"How?" Star asked. "SysTech has a big fence and guards and everything."
"I'm talking about his home lab."
"He won't mind?" Star asked, remembering that her own father's study was always securely locked.
"He won't know," Logan declared. "My parents will be gone. And I know how to get in."
"I ... I don't know," said Star. "We'll get in trouble."
"Trust me," Logan insisted. "No one will ever find out."
"Have you done this before?" Star asked.
Logan passed a hand over his short black hair and looked away. When he looked back, his face had grown wrinkles between the pair of brown eyes. "Yeah ... I've done it."
"You mean you've gone—"
"Stop!" he shouted, and Star caught herself before blurting out the secret.
"I'm sorry," she said. "But I didn't know you had ... you know ..."
"I had to test it," Logan insisted.
"Oooh! What happened?" Star asked excitedly.
"You'll see ... tomorrow," Logan replied. "You're coming with me, aren't you?"
"Well ... yes," Star murmured. She couldn't let Logan know how scared she was.
"Good. See you after school ... and don't forget your book." Logan's big grin was the last image to vanish as he switched off.
Chapter Two
SECRET MEETING
Star hadn't been inside Logan's family apartment before. It was one of hundreds in a big skyscraper. But theirs was special. It was located on the 59th floor, the very top of the building. And it was extra large because of his dad's laboratory.
Carrying the book he had asked her to bring, Star followed Logan through the maze of rooms until they found themselves in front of a wide steel door. Only a large keypad, displaying the numbers 0 to 9, spoiled the smooth surface of the door.
Logan stepped up to the door and punched in a long series of numbers. After he entered the last number, they heard the whir of a small motor coming from inside the door. This was followed by a loud clank, and the door swung slowly into the dark laboratory.
Star peered into the darkness. There were no windows to let sunlight into the lab, but tiny little lights were spread about the room, like the beady eyes of frightening nighttime creatures. Clutching her book to her chest, Star took a step back.
"Come on, Star," Logan called over his shoulder, as he flipped a light switch and scurried into the lab.
With the spooky darkness gone, Star could now see the large collection of electronic gadgets whose tiny indicator lights had seemed so terrifying in the dark. But she was no less frightened.
In the center of the lab were four large reclining seats—like those in the dentist's office. Surrounding each recliner was a maze of wires. On each recliner was a large round plastic object that looked like a helmet. Dozens of wires—of different bright colors—reached from each helmet to the electronic gear stacked behind each recliner.
Star watched Logan head straight for the recliners. But she was frozen. Logan looked back and realized she had not entered the room.
"Come on, Star. We don't have much time," he called out.
Star took a deep breath and stepped into the laboratory—not knowing whether she would stay.
Chapter Three
SIMMER
Logan's fingers were flying over the keyboard in front of the main computer console. Star admired his ability to handle this awesome machinery—flipping switches, connecting cables, and watching the video display. She asked, "How do you know what to do?"
Logan replied without looking away from the computer display. "My dad's computer works just like mine."
Star wasn't surprised at Logan's computer skills. He had told her that his parents had selected science and math genes before he was born—just as Crystal had confided about her parents selecting charm and beauty genes.
But Star hadn't revealed anything about her parents' choices. After all, that was part of her big secret.
Star shook the thoughts from her head and asked Logan, "Have you forgotten what you promised me?"
"Hang on," he responded, still not looking at Star. "A few more seconds and we'll ask SIMMER."
"Who's SIMMER?"
"That's what they call this computer. It stands for 'SIMulated MEntal Reality'."
"What? What's that got to do with what you promised me?"
Logan stopped typing and glanced sideways at Star. "Did you think I was going to use magic?" he asked.
"I ... I don't know."
Logan turned away from the console and faced Star. "Do you remember what you told me ... about your book?"
Suddenly Star regretted telling Logan anything. She turned the book so that Logan could see the title, Tales of the Arabian Nights. "I told you that this was my very favorite book—that I loved the story about Aladdin, flying carpets, and magic." Then she glared at him. "Do you remember what you told me?"
Logan grinned. "I said I could take you on a magic carpet ride."
"Well? What's the computer got to do with it?"
Logan winked and turned back to the console. He resumed typing and said, "Watch and learn."
Star watched as Logan finished typing gibberish on the computer keyboard and then scurried about the lab, connecting wires and flipping switches. Many of the tiny colored indicator lights flickered on and off.
"Okay, we're ready. Give me the book," Logan said.
She gave the book to Logan. "Now what?" she asked.
"We're going to ask SIMMER to read the book," he replied, as he opened the book and placed it in a narrow drawer underneath the desktop computer.
Star had used scanners and understood digital file transfers. But she wondered how quickly SIMMER could actually read a real two-hundred-page book with many colorful illustrations of adventures in ancient Arabia, Persia and India.
She noticed a bright light coming from the drawer and saw that Logan had placed a metallic bar along the spine of the open book. Then he closed the drawer. Immediately, dozens of lights flickered on the computer console, and whirring, clicking sounds streamed from the drawer.
After several seconds, Star began to ask, "How does it—" But the noises stopped abruptly.
"It's done," Logan declared. "Now SIMMER is digesting the stories. Then he'll work his 'magic' for us."
"He?" Star asked.
Logan chuckled. "I like to think of SIMMER as a wizard ... you know ... like Merlin in King Arthur."
"What's he going to do?"
Logan sighed like he was being asked to explain atomic theory to a three-year-old. "Look, SIMMER will be busy for a minute or two. So I'll fill you in."
Star listened in awe as Logan described what SIMMER could do. She was familiar with go-pods and holos and all the electronic gadgets essential to any fifth-grade girl. But she didn't understand computers the way Logan did. She searched for words to ask hundreds of questions, but she couldn't find any. SIMMER was too incredible.
Finally, she asked the most obvious question. "Why does your father have something like this?"
"He invented it. But it's not for what we're doing," Logan replied. "It's a top secret government project. I heard him talking to General Hawthorne. He's the President's top military guy. Head of the Joint Chiefs or something like that."
"What does the General want it for?"
"General Hawthorne thinks SIMMER can train soldiers by putting them into imaginary battles that are so real you can't tell the difference. All SIMMER has to do is read about the battle conditions."
Logan guided Star over to the set of four recliners in the center of the room. "Do you see those helmets on each recliner?" he asked. "If you put that on your head and connect it to SIMMER, he creates the imaginary scene in your head."
"You mean we're going to put those helmets on, and it'll be like we're really there—in Aladdin and the Magic Lamp?"
Logan's grin was so wide that Star thought his cheeks would split. "You got it!" he said.
Star was excited—and scared—at the same time. She glanced at the odd looking helmets with their wires and blinking lights. "I'm ... I'm not sure—"
"Awh, come on. I told you, I've already tried it. It doesn't hurt."
"What story did you try?" Star asked.
Logan looked away. "It was a simple one. Not important."
Star persisted. She tapped her foot. "I want to know, Logan."
Logan recovered his usual confidence. "I told you, it's not important."
"Well, I'm not going to do this unless you tell me."
Logan looked sideways at Star. "Oh, yes you are. You're so curious right now you can't stand it."
It was Star's turn to look away. She realized that Logan was right. "Okay. But—" she hesitated. "If I do this, you have to tell me what story you chose."
Logan nodded. "It's a deal."
Star examined the large, wired helmet apprehensively. Built into the helmet was a visor that slid over the eyes. The helmet was surprisingly light. She looked inside. "Those spikes are going to hurt," she said to Logan.
"No, they won't," Logan insisted. "They're mounted on springs, and there's a soft pad on the tip of each one."
Star looked closely at the six cone-shaped spikes inside the helmet. The flat tip of each was covered with a thin gray pad, just as Logan had said. Three would press on her upper forehead, and three would press down on the top back of her head. She wrinkled her nose and glared at Logan. "What are these spikes for?" she asked.
"They make electrical contact. Send signals to your brain."
"Yikes!" She dropped the helmet on the table and stepped back. "You never said anything about 'frying' my brain, Logan."
"It's okay," Logan said. "You won't feel a thing. Watch. I'll put mine on."
Logan slipped his helmet on, being careful not to get tangled in all the attached wires. He adjusted the chinstrap to keep it snuggly in place. "See. Feels fine. No pain."
"Is it turned on?" Star asked.
"No. Not until I flip the visor down over my eyes."
"Go ahead. Flip it down. I want to see what happens."
"Will you put yours on after you watch me?"
"Well ... I guess so ... if you don't get zapped."
Logan chuckled. "All right. Here goes." Logan slid into his recliner, lying back on the headrest. A big grin creased his face as he flipped the visor down, completely covering his eyes.
Star watched in wonder as Logan's face—what she could see of it—suddenly lost all expression. The wide grin disappeared. His body became motionless. Only his nostrils and chest moved as he breathed softly.
After a few seconds, Star began to panic. "Logan?" she cried out. "Logan, wake up!" She grabbed his arm and shook it.
Logan didn't respond.
Star jumped back in alarm. She turned and ran toward the laboratory door. There was a videophone there. She would call for help.
"Star!" She heard her name called. She stopped and whirled around.
Logan was sitting up in the recliner. The visor of his helmet was up. He was grinning once again.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
Star took a tentative step back toward Logan. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Of course. Don't you want to know what happened?"
Star stepped closer. "I saw what happened. You were unconscious."
Logan laughed. "Really? My head wasn't."
"What do you mean?" Star took another couple steps. She was now standing next to the recliner and Logan.
Logan looked up at her. "I mean I was somewhere else. It was great."
"Where?"
"Oh, no. If you want to find out, you have to come with me."
Star looked at Logan for a long time. She was still afraid, but Logan's obvious glee excited her. She just had to see what he had seen.
"I just have one question," she said. "How do you come back?"
Logan shrugged his shoulders. "You just have to think about coming back, and it happens."
"It's that simple?" she asked.
"Well ... we'll have to do it together. Both of us will have to want to come back."
"You wouldn't—" Star began to ask.
"No, no." Logan wagged his head. "Anytime you want to quit ..." He paused and grinned at her.
Star thought about it for a while. "All right," she said. "Let's do it." Logan was right, Star thought. The helmet was easy to use. But Star's thick red hair posed a problem. She had to wiggle and squeeze the helmet into place so that the cones made contact with her scalp. Then she had to adjust the chinstrap ever so tightly.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from STAR OF THE FUTUREby S.P. Perone Copyright © 2010 by Sam P. Perone. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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