SCHOLASTIC INC
SCHOLASTIC INC.
To Spencer, Collin, Zoe, and Luke, enjoy the ride — D.B.
Copyright © 2013 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, THE 39 CLUES, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012948468 ISBN 978-0-545-29844-5 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 13 14 15 16 17/0 Book design by SJI Associates, Inc. Book illustrations by Cheung Tai and SJI Associates, Inc. for Scholastic. Compass p. 46: Division of Political History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution; case pp. 46, 136, and 165: wood textures from CG textures; banner p. 115: photo by Ken Karp for Scholastic; back endpaper photo: character photo by Ken Karp for Scholastic and background from CG textures. First edition, March 2013 Printed in China 62
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New York, NY 10012 Scholastic US: 557 Broadway Toronto, ON M5V 1E1 Scholastic Canada: 604 King Street West Greenmount, Manukau 2141 Scholastic New Zealand Limited: Private Bag 94407 24 Eversholt Street London NW1 1DB Scholastic UK Ltd.: Euston House
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sharper focus.
DAY OF DOOM
It was merely a speck in the sky. But it soon came into
173
The lightweight experimental aircraft was flying at barely two thousand feet off the ground. Its speed was approximately 120 knots. It looked like a helicopter, only with wings. The single pilot looked through the egg-shaped glass covering him. Damien Vesper smiled as the terrain flew beneath him and the skies overhead crackled with unusual power. Though the winds were buffeting the aircraft and coming at odd angles, and lightning cracked upward, and the sky still looked purple, Damien piloted his aircraft with a practiced hand. He was not scared by the daunting elements; he was enjoying the show! This was the time he had spent his whole life preparing for. The Doomsday device was in place and partially active. He looked down at the small box that rested at his feet. Inside there was the last piece of the puzzle. It was the Madrigal ring that was actually a gear. Once he placed that on his device and cranked it to full power, the world would understand what it truly meant to fear. His phone buzzed. He pressed a button and put on THE 39 CLUES
headphones.
174
Sandy Bancroft’s recording spilled into his ears. He listened to the Wyoming idiots plotting against him. He was not surprised. They were utterly lacking in what it took to be true leaders. They had served their
purposes. Now they were expendable. He would deal with them shortly. A while later he landed his aircraft in a field where a black SUV was waiting to pick him up. Up ahead of him soared the mighty Rockies. From here it would all begin. His master plan had finally come to fruition. His ancestors would be so proud. But of all the Vespers that had come before, he was the only one who had actually succeeded. The box stowed safely in his bag, Damien climbed into the SUV and was immediately driven off. One more piece. Archimedes’ precious gear. And then it all could truly begin. And end.
DAY OF DOOM
Spectacularly.
175
To Spencer, Collin, Zoe, and Luke, enjoy the ride — D.B.
Copyright © 2013 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, THE 39 CLUES, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012948468 ISBN 978-0-545-29844-5 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 13 14 15 16 17/0 Book design by SJI Associates, Inc. Book illustrations by Cheung Tai and SJI Associates, Inc. for Scholastic. Compass p. 46: Division of Political History, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution; case pp. 46, 136, and 165: wood textures from CG textures; banner p. 115: photo by Ken Karp for Scholastic; back endpaper photo: character photo by Ken Karp for Scholastic and background from CG textures. First edition, March 2013 Printed in China 62
·
New York, NY 10012 Scholastic US: 557 Broadway Toronto, ON M5V 1E1 Scholastic Canada: 604 King Street West Greenmount, Manukau 2141 Scholastic New Zealand Limited: Private Bag 94407 24 Eversholt Street London NW1 1DB Scholastic UK Ltd.: Euston House
·
·
·
·
sharper focus.
DAY OF DOOM
It was merely a speck in the sky. But it soon came into
173
The lightweight experimental aircraft was flying at barely two thousand feet off the ground. Its speed was approximately 120 knots. It looked like a helicopter, only with wings. The single pilot looked through the egg-shaped glass covering him. Damien Vesper smiled as the terrain flew beneath him and the skies overhead crackled with unusual power. Though the winds were buffeting the aircraft and coming at odd angles, and lightning cracked upward, and the sky still looked purple, Damien piloted his aircraft with a practiced hand. He was not scared by the daunting elements; he was enjoying the show! This was the time he had spent his whole life preparing for. The Doomsday device was in place and partially active. He looked down at the small box that rested at his feet. Inside there was the last piece of the puzzle. It was the Madrigal ring that was actually a gear. Once he placed that on his device and cranked it to full power, the world would understand what it truly meant to fear. His phone buzzed. He pressed a button and put on THE 39 CLUES
headphones.
174
Sandy Bancroft’s recording spilled into his ears. He listened to the Wyoming idiots plotting against him. He was not surprised. They were utterly lacking in what it took to be true leaders. They had served their
purposes. Now they were expendable. He would deal with them shortly. A while later he landed his aircraft in a field where a black SUV was waiting to pick him up. Up ahead of him soared the mighty Rockies. From here it would all begin. His master plan had finally come to fruition. His ancestors would be so proud. But of all the Vespers that had come before, he was the only one who had actually succeeded. The box stowed safely in his bag, Damien climbed into the SUV and was immediately driven off. One more piece. Archimedes’ precious gear. And then it all could truly begin. And end.
DAY OF DOOM
Spectacularly.
175
