Astrid Maxxim and Her Amazing Hoverbike by Wesley Allison

grandmother does n’ t know where he is.  He left this morning before she got up and he never came home.  She thought you might know where he was, Astrid, because last night he said something about riding to school with you . ”
    “ Oh ,” said Astrid.  “ I vaguely remember something about a ride, but my mind was on my ceramics experiments and my status as a home-bound prisoner . ”
    “ Stop being so self-absorbed ,” said her mother.  “ This is upsetting.  You told that boy you would give him a ride and then you were n’ t there for him . ”
    “ I was there at lunch ,” said Toby.  “ Astrid never promised him.  Austin made a comment about getting a ride, but nobody decided on anything.  He hardly knows if h e’ s coming or going . ”
    “ Have the police been called ?” asked Astrid.  “ Maybe h e’ s been kidnapped, like me or Robot Valerie . ”
    “ Wh o’ d want to kidnap Austin ?” wondered Toby.
    After Toby went home, the Maxxims ate their dinner.  Afterwards Astrid spent the evening finishing up next wee k’ s homework and practicing her oboe, but she inquired after Austin before she went to bed.
    “ I just talked to Chief Gillespie a few minutes ago ,” said her father.  “ Nobod y’ s heard anything about him yet.
    Astrid went to sleep hoping that nothing had happened to her friend.
    The next morning was Saturday, and Astrid set off early for her lab.  She still worried about Austin and did n’ t even raise an objection to Mr. Toulson driving her there.  She finished the controls of the hoverbike, installed the battery, and ran the wiring through the chassis. 
    Her father came and took her to lunch in the R&D cafeteria.  He reported that there was no news about Austin or his whereabouts.
    When Astrid returned from lunch, she found a large crate just inside the door of her lab.  A barcode was pasted onto the outside of the crate and when she scanned it with her digital tablet she sa w“ Astridium Hoverdisk s” listed on the manifest.  Astridium?  It seemed as good a name as any, she decided.  She opened the crate and pulled out one of the bright white and metallic hoverdisks.  It was beautiful, and it was small enough that she could mount three on the hoverbik e— two on the bottom for lift, and one on the back for forward momentum.  She was just installing the battery when Toby entered.
    “ Hi ,” he said.  “ I just wanted to remind you about tonight.  I know you get caught up in your inventions and lose track of time . ”
    “ You make me sound like the absentminded professor ,” said Astrid.  “ Help me put this down on the floor.
    They lowered the hoverbike to the lab floor.  Astrid pressed the power button and the hoverdisks hummed to life.  Immediately the hoverbike rose up and floated a foot above the floor tiles.  The gyros and servos worked in conjunction to keep the bike level.
    “ Awesome !” shouted Toby.  “ Will it work with us on it ? ”
    “ Ther e’ s only one way to find out ,” said Astrid, climbing up into the seat. 
    The bike remained aloft.
    “ Get on behind me ,” she said.
    Toby climbed on, sitting on the little trunk behind the seat and, to Astri d’ s delight, wrapping his arms around her waist.  The bike continued to hover.  Pressing the throttle, Astrid slowly moved the little vehicle past the workbenches and into an open area.  Giving it a little more power, she flew in a tight little circle around the room.
    “ Awesome ,” said Toby again.  “ You know what you need ? ”
    “ What ? ”
    “ A plug for your MX-360.  That way you could play your music.  Maybe a cup holder too . ”
    “ MX-360 ?” said Astrid.  “ Of course.  Tha t’ s it . ”

Chapter Sixteen: Hoverbike to the Rescue
     
    Astrid powered down the hoverbike and climbed off.  She whipped her cell phone from her pocket and called Austi n’ s house as she ran over her workbench.
    “ Hello ?” said a very tired and worried voice on