Earthling Ambassador (Space Brigade 1)

Extraordinary! Not only could Globagaskarians read your mind, they could talk inside your head as well! Although, presumably, that was bad manners, too.

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Yes, yes, very rude of me! Are you going to get on with it?

Nicola shook her head distractedly and took a deep breath.

"Greta," she said. "I'm happy to have you on the team, but I've got some conditions."

"Okay," Greta looked wary.

"You have to do what I say--even if you disagree with it."

"Can I tell you if I disagree with it?" asked Greta.

"You can tell me, but if I say you've still got to do it, then you've got to do it," said Nicola, wondering if she was making a terrible mistake.

"Okay."

"The second condition is that if I decide you're off the team, then you're off it, NO ARGUMENTS.You'll have to go straight back to Earth."

"Hmmmph." Greta's mouth twisted. She tapped her foot and lifted her eyes to the ceiling.

Finally she spoke. "I accept your conditions, Nicola," she said grandly, as if she were doing Nicola a great favor.

"Fine," sighed Nicola. "You're in the Brigade."

"Thank you." Greta smiled, and for a moment she almost looked like a nice person.Well, maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

Better start acting like the boss.What's your first move going to be?

"Would you please stop talking in my head!" said Nicola, exasperated.

"Huh? What? Are you talking to me, Nicola?" Georgio gave her a confused, innocent look.

"I would like to call an immediate meeting of all members of the Space Brigade." Nicola tried to sound firm and fair, but not too bossy. She wanted to be a calm, decisive leader.

"Right," said Tyler. "Let's go."

"Where will the meeting be?" asked Katie.

"Ummm." Nicola looked around helplessly. It wasn't like she was in her own house.

"It will be in my bedroom," said Shimlara. "If that's okay with you, Nicola?"

"Yes," said Nicola sternly. "That will be fine."

"Follow me," said Shimlara. "And Mom and Dad, make sure you don't interrupt us!"

Mully and Georgio both held up their hands as if it were the last thing on their minds.

As they all trooped down the hallway and into Shimlara's bedroom, Squid worked out that something was going on that didn't involve him.

"I COMING,TOO!" He threw his arms around Shimlara's legs as she tried to close the door on him.

"Moooooom!" yelled Shimlara.

Katie took control of the situation. "That's right, Squid, you can't stay out there and have fun with your toys," she said, taking him by the arm. "You must come into Shimlara's room and sit very quietly while we talk about boring things for a long time. Come in here right now!"