H.I. Larry - Zac Power Extreme Mission #3: Ice Patrol

ICE PATROL

BY H. I. LARRY

ILLUSTRATIONS BY CAL BENNET
& DAMIEN HOLDER

Ice Patrol
published in 2009 by
Hardie Grant Egmont
85 High Street
Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia
www.hardiegrantegmont.com.au

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means without the prior permission of the publishers and copyright owner.

A CiP record for this title is available from the National Library of Australia

Text copyright 2009 H.I. Larry
Illustration and design copyright 2009 Hardie Grant Egmont

Cover design by Damien Holder
Illustrations by Cal Bennett & Damien Holder
Typeset by Ektavo
Printed in Australia by McPhersons Printing Group

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

Contents

MISSION UPDATE
CLASSIFIED

Zac Power is racing around the world to find the
four parts of
a super-weapon called IRIS.

In SAND STORM, Zac found out
that his grandpa helped build
IRIS with Blackwood.

In DARK TOWER, Zac learnt that
Grandpa and Blackwood are
actually brother and sister.

Zac doesn't think it's possible,
but things are about to get
even more extreme...

CURRENT TIME:
SATURDAY 6.43 AM

CHAPTER
ONE

Got any threes? Zac Power asked.

Grandpa pulled a card out of his hand and passed it to him.

Any sevens? Zac asked Leon with a sigh. Leon shook his head.

The three GIB spies were crowded aboard Leons MicroLab. The tiny flying laboratory was running on autopilot, soaring over the ocean towards their next stop.

Leon had wanted to play cards to pass the time. As if Zac could focus on games at a time like this!

WARNING:
DO NOT EAT DIAMONDS

GIB. STOODflRD-ISSUE PLflVIHG CRRDS
Bored om-relieuing Emergency Rations

He and Grandpa were in the middle of the biggest spy mission of their lives. They had just two days left to keep BIGs Agent Blackwood from rebuilding IRIS, the most dangerous super-gadget ever created. IRIS was capable of sending people into a permanent sleep, and could be used on a whole city at once.

Only hours ago, Zac had made a horrible discovery: Grandpa and Agent Blackwood were actually brother and sister. Which meant that BIG agent Caz Rewop, Zacs worst enemy, was also his cousin.

Actually, she was his second cousin, but it was still gross. The whole thing made Zac sick to his stomach.

Your turn, Grandpa, said Leon.

Grandpa stared down at his cards, like he was thinking about his next move.Then suddenly, he put his cards down on the floor and looked up at Zac and Leon.

I suppose I owe you an explanation, he said with a sigh.

Zac folded his arms, ready to listen. Its about time, Grandpa.

Grandpa nodded. Ive already told you that I used to be part of a spy agency called GADGET, he began, back before GIB and BIG existed.What I didnt tell you was that Blackwood and I were the ones who started GADGET in the first place.

Why? said Zac, disgusted. Shes the most evil woman in the world!

She might be now, said Grandpa, shaking his head.But back then, I had no idea that my sister would turn into a monster. I thought she was one of the good guys.

Then why were you and Blackwood building a weapon? Leon asked.

IRIS was never supposed to be a weapon, said Grandpa. It was supposed to be a low-powered sleep-ray for hospitals.

Zac could see the logic in that. IRIS would have been more effective than medicine to put a patient to sleep. But Blackwood had other ideas, he guessed.

Im afraid so, said Grandpa sadly. I had no idea at the time, but the power of being a secret agent went to her head. She thought being a GADGET agent made her better than other people. It wasnt long before she started setting her sights on world domination.

She wanted to use IRIS to take over the world? asked Leon.

Grandpa sighed. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldnt listen. In the end, I had no choice but to tear IRIS apart. That was the end of GADGET. Blackwood went off and started her own agency: the Blackwood Intelligence Guild.

Thats what BIG stands for! realised Zac with a shout. Hed always wondered.

Right, said Grandpa. And after everything that had gone wrong with GADGET, I had to shut it down. I took a few of the other GADGET agents with me and founded GIB.

You started GIB? said Leon, raising an eyebrow. Then why is Agent Big Boss in charge? Shouldnt you have that job?

And sit in an office at HQ all day? said Grandpa.Not a chance. I want to be where the action is!

BEEP!

An alert from the MicroLab interrupted their conversation.

Zac stood up and stared out the window. There was another vehicle flying towards them. It looked like a giant ball with wings.

Ah, said Grandpa, joining Zac at the window. I forgot to mention: Ive asked some other GIB agents to join us on the next leg of our journey.

Who? asked Zac.

Oh, just a couple of old friends, said Grandpa with a twinkle in his eye.

Leon moved to the pilots seat and steered the MicroLab down to dock on the giant ball.

CLUNK!

The MicroLab landed gently on the other vehicles roof. Zac reached for the trapdoor at his feet. It hissed open, revealing a narrow tunnel down to the other vehicle.

Zac stared down through the tunnel. Two agents in GIB uniforms were waving back up at him.

Zac rolled his eyes as he realised who they were. Youve got to be kidding me!

CHAPTER
TWO

Go on, said Grandpa, grinning at Zac. Get down there and say hi!

Zac shot Grandpa a you-cant-be-serious look. He climbed down through the MicroLabs tunnel, into the other vehicle. The two agents stepped back as he dropped to the floor. Zac looked at them and sighed.

Hey, Mum, he said. Hey, Dad.

Zac! his mum beamed, pulling him into a lung-crushing hug. Are you having a good mission? And isnt this exciting? Its been so long since we all went on a mission together!

Yeah, Zac said, pulling himself free. I guess its exciting.

Of course Zac loved his parents, but hed been going on dangerous solo missions for years. This was supposed to be serious spy work, not a Power family holiday!

Grandpa climbed down. Good to see you, he said, putting an arm around Zacs dad, and grinning at his mum.

You too, Zacs dad smiled. Welcome aboard the Ski-Pod!

Leon popped his head down through the tunnel. Hi, Mum and Dad! he called. Be there in a second!

Zac looked around. They were in a round, white room, and in the centre was a control station filled with buttons and view screens.

Setting a course for the City of Snow, said Zacs mum, crossing to the control station and tapping a few buttons.

Zac felt a jolt as the Ski-Pod changed directions.

The tunnel between the MicroLab and the Ski-Pod hissed open again. Zac stepped aside to let Leon down. Leon was carrying a big plastic tub filled with coloured robes.