H.I. Larry - Zac Power Test Drive #14: Zacs Quicksand

Zacs Quicksand
published in 2010 by
Hardie Grant Egmont
Ground Floor, Building 1, 658 Church Street
Richmond, Victoria 3121, Australia
www.hardiegrantegmont.com.au EISBN 978 1 742730 07 3 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, illustration and design copyright 2010 Hardie Grant Egmont CONTENTS Zac Power was at the beach for the weekend. It was one of Zacs favourite spots. It had big sand dunes. The surf was always good.

And there was a shop that sold the best burgers. Zac was 12 years old. He was a spy. All of his family were spies too. They did top-secret work for the good spy group GIB. Zac went on cool missions for GIB.

He worked hard to stop the evil spy group BIG. GIB spies had code names. Zacs code name was Agent Rock Star. Zacs brother Leon was in charge of the GIB Test Labs. He made loads of spy gadgets and vehicles. It was Zacs job to test them.

Zac was getting hot at the beach. He went inside to play a computer game. The computer game was called Mega Maze. Zac was at the top level. On the screen, Zac was racing at high speed. Im going to be the bestmaze racer of all time! Zac was close to the maze exit. Im going to be the bestmaze racer of all time! Zac was close to the maze exit.

He turned right down the last tunnel. He raced towards the end of the maze. Suddenly the screen went black. Oh no, thought Zac. I didnt save my game! He picked up the TV remote. Before he could push anything the TV screen flashed.

Check your SpyPad,
Agent Rock Star.
Report to GIB now. Zac took his GIB SpyPad from his pocket. The SpyPad was a phone and a computer. Zac could record music on it. And it had all the latest games. There were three missed calls on Zacs SpyPad.

There was also a message from Leon. Urgent test driving needed.
Come to the Sand
Crawler Centre. Awesome! thought Zac. Zac headed out the door. The Sand Crawler Centre was over some sand dunes. He knew exactly where to go.

Zac LOVED sand crawling. He ran all the way there. Zac was puffed when he reached the centre. It was super-busy. I hope Leon wants me to do some sand crawling, thought Zac. Zac went over to the sand crawlers.

They had skis on the front. There were tracks at the back. The tracks spun around to move the crawler along. Crawlers were perfect for racing over sand dunes. Zac had ridden them loads of times. There are only two left, thought Zac. But the sand dunes are empty. But the sand dunes are empty.

Where is everyone? Zac felt someone grab his arm. It was Leon. He looked grumpy. Why didnt you answer your SpyPad, Zac? asked Leon. I was playing Mega Maze, said Zac. I didnt hear my SpyPad.

Id be the best maze driver ever if you hadnt sent that message. Well, I had to get hold of you somehow, said Leon. Do I get to ride a sand crawler? asked Zac. Just then Zacs SpyPad beeped. BEEP-BEEP-BEEP It was a message from GIB. I need you to test drive two gadgets on your mission, said Leon.

Leon and Zac walked outside. They went over to a wall of thick bush and palm trees. Leon took out his SpyPad and pushed some buttons. The wall of trees began to move apart. They slid open to make a doorway. There was a secret room! Awesome hiding place, said Zac.

Youd never know this room was here. Zac and Leon walked through the door. The trees closed quickly behind them. This is the latest GIB Test Lab, said Leon. Zac looked around. There were computers and gadgets everywhere.

In the corner was a glass case with some very cool-looking watches. Leon opened the case. He took out an orange watch with a silver band. He handed it to Zac. This is the E-10 GPS Watch, said Leon. Cool, said Zac.

Zac put the watch on his wrist. What does it do? he asked Leon. It will tell you where to go if you get lost, said Leon. Its also a phone. Awesome, said Zac. I need you to test the phone, said Leon.

Use the watch to call me instead of your SpyPad. OK, said Zac. The face of the watch opens too, said Leon. Zac popped open the face of the watch. There was a packet of gum inside. Its De-Fog Gum, Zac, said Leon.

It clears your head and wakes you up when your brain feels foggy. Cool, said Zac. One piece will wake you up for three minutes. Then it stops working. Leon opened a door at the back of the lab. Behind the door stood a sand crawler.

It was red and silver. Zac had never seen a cooler sand crawler. This is the Speed-Ski Super Crawler, said Leon. Its the fastest sand crawler ever. Leon pushed more buttons on his SpyPad. The door to the Test Lab opened up.

Zac jumped on the Super Crawler. Youd better get going, Zac, said Leon. And make sure you do your test drive report. Zac groaned. He loved test driving but he hated doing reports. I know, I know, said Zac.

He turned the grips on the Super Crawlers handle-bars. The engine roared to life. The Super Crawler shot out the door and up the sand dunes. The Super Crawler flew over the first dune. This is SO cool, thought Zac. Then he heard a beeping noise.

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP It was coming from his watch. Leons face popped up on the watch. Just testing out the watch, Zac. Have you seen anything yet? asked Leon. No, said Zac. Theres no-one out here.

GIB think BIG know about the Super Crawler, said Leon. They want to steal it and copy it. Do they know Im riding it? asked Zac. No, Zac, said Leon. But they are taking every crawler they find until they get the one they want. But what have they done with the riders on the other crawlers? said Zac.