Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports

69

Cushy seven-hour respite aside, it was time to get down to business once we landed at London's Heathrow Airport. We had gone the whole flight without anyone turning into an Eraser and attacking us, and the plane hadn't dropped out of the sky like a lead weight, so it was an excellent start.

For a few moments after we got off, I paused, hoping that maybe the Voice would cut me a break and give clear and followable instructions.

But no. The Voice was MIA, and we were on our own.

Which was fine. I'd gotten us all this far. The Voice was a recent phenomenon, and as far as I was concerned, it could stay gone.

"Okay," I said, clapping my hands. My miniflock gathered around me. "The first thing we should do is find an Internet caf #233;, get on the Web, and Google Itex in England. Even if we don't find them by name, we'll probably see other links that can help us."

"Whoa, whoa, hold the phone," said Total. "We're in London. Are you telling me we're not going to go see the Crown Jewels?"

"And the Tower of London?" Angel added.

"Ooh, look-Madame Tussauds!" Nudge said, pointing at a poster on a kiosk. "We've got to go there!"

Once again I was nonplussed by my flock's ability to completely put aside the fact that we were fighting for our lives. For the lives of the entire world.

Frowning, I pressed on. "Itex probably has its main offices in the suburbs, not right in the city."

"Buckingham Palace," Ari startled me by saying. "With the guys in the funny fur hats."

"Yeah, yeah, Buckingham Palace!" Nudge agreed without looking at him.

I drew in a breath, ready to start issuing commands.

You know, when you're right, that's all you get to be, said the Voice.

"What the heck does that mean?" I asked, irritated.

"Buckingham Palace," Nudge explained. "Where the queen lives. And Mr. Queen."

"No, no, not you," I muttered. I leaned against a wall and closed my eyes for a second. You wanna explain that? I thought. Or is that one of those kung fu koans I'm supposed to meditate on at the top of a mountain? Ommm.

"Max?" Angel asked. "Do you have a headache?" She sounded worried.

"No, I'm okay," I said. "Gimme a minute. And keep an eye out."

My flock waited patiently, unlike me. I was ready to rake my fingernails down the wall.

Yes, you should pursue your mission, said the Voice, miraculously answering me. But you haven't learned how to balance your leadership. You have to lead, but you must also listen.

And just let them do whatever they want? I demanded silently.

Max, they're children. They're just along for the ride. A strong leader can bend sometimes.

I opened my eyes. "Fine. We'll take a tour, hit the hot spots. Angel, get us on one of those double-decker bus tour things."

"Okay!" she agreed happily, while Nudge punched the air. We headed for the Ground Transportation area.

"I want to ride on top!" Total said, trotting at Angel's side. "But in Max's jacket, 'cause it's cold."

"Oh, yay," I said so no one could hear me. You're wrong, Voice, I thought. They're kids, but they're not just along for the ride. I need every one of them if I'm going to succeed.