Page 71 (1/2)

"You’ll go in a pair," Mothball said "Or you’ll sit ’ere and hug this tree all day" She stared down at Sato, daring hi in reply

It was the first time Tick had seen Mothball use her size to intiher than she acts

"Sweet biscuits!" Paul said as he grabbed hold of the next Windbike and dragged it a few feet away "You’re serious? This thing really flies? In the air?"

"Where else would it fly, Einstein?" Sofia said "Underground?"

"You got rown accustomed to Sofia’s smart mouth "How does it work?"

Mothball sat down on her bike, her body taking up the entire seat that was meant for two "You push this ’ere button, which turns it on, like so" She pressed a red button on the small dashboard under the handlebars The Windbike ca coasoline Takes hydrogen right out of the ht nicely Co ho?" Tick asked

"I’ll go with you or Paul," Sofia said "But not him" She nodded toward Sato, who scowled back at her

"I don’t want to go with you, either"

"Alrighty then," Paul said, clapping his hands "Looks like it’s me and Sofia on this one, Tick and Sato on that one" He pointed to the next bike in line

Tick wanted to argue, but he didn’t really want Sato any angrier than he already was He looked to Sofia for help, but she only shrugged, not bothering to hide the sreat, okay"

Paul ht behind the handlebars, but Sofia would have none of it

"I’ him backward as she squirmed her way in front of him

Paul held his hands up in surrender as he scooted to the rear of the big seat "You win, Miss Italy, you win" He looked over at Tick and mouthed the words, "Help ht and pushed the button to turn it on as he swung his leg over and sat down in the driver’s position "Get on," he said, not bothering to look at Tick

Tick felt like he’d rather pound his head against the closest tree than get on the back of the hueverything

Mothball must have noticed Tick’s hesitation "Cohed as he sat behind Sato The botto with sticky pads for his feet "Is this another invention frouess--Chu Industries?"

"Nailed that one, you did," Mothball answered "Chu rules aS they’d do right nicely for our little mission"

"What do we do now?" Sofia asked