r hair so she's not a hairity any longer. He's made her ordinary.'
'But he hasn't hurt her, right?' said Tyler. Panic made his voice skid in all directions. 'It's just her hair. That doesn't matter, does it?'
'Didn't she say she was going to cut off her hair when she got back to Earth?' said Shimlara.
'Yes,' said Nicola, trying to calm herself down. 'She did say that. So hopefully she won't be too upset.'
'There's a letter for you,' said Sean, reaching into the box and pulling out a silver envelope.
Breathing quickly, Nicola took the letter and opened it. She read out loud:
Dear Nicola,
It gives me great pleasure to enclose your friend's hair as a little something to remind you of your stupidity and selfishness. She has paid the ultimate sacrifice for your mistakes. I am sure that even temporarily giving up her revered hairity status will be the tragedy of her life - it will take her ages to grow it back! She has indicated to me that she will never, ever forgive you for it. I do not blame her.
'Yeah right,' interrupted Sean sarcastically. 'Because Katie is such an unforgiving person.'
Nicola continued reading:
In case you are even more stupid than I have realised, let me be quite clear on the nature of your mistakes.
Your first was to spread scandalous lies about me in the newspaper. I will not tolerate any form of bad publicity. The people of Shobble love their Commander-in-Chief. They are simple, not especially bright people and they do not need to read this sort of drivel about their great leader. It only confuses and upsets them.
'Drivel!' exploded Shimlara. 'But it's all true!'
Your second mistake was revealing to one of my undercover Thugs that you have no intention of fulfilling your mission. Your exact words, I believe, were, 'Don't worry, we would never hurt Topaz.'
'Who was the undercover Thug?' asked Sean. 'Was it Horatio? I knew we shouldn't have shared so much food with that guy! He didn't look that hungry.'
'It wasn't Horatio. That's what you said to the man who sold us the Shock-Sticks,' said Greta.
'But he had the little "t" on his forehead,' protested Nicola. 'I thought he was a Topaz supporter.'
'Enrico must know about the secret "t" sign,' said Shimlara.
Nicola felt sick. It wasn't like making a mistake on a maths test. It was a mistake that could cost her friend's life.
She continued reading:
Let me be clear, Nicola. I require the Space Brigade to eliminate Topaz Silverbell. If I do not receive evidence that this task has been completed within the next forty-eight hours, I shall cut off your friend's food supply, followed by her water supply, followed by her air supply. I am extremely softhearted and it will pain me to do this, but I am prepared to make these sorts of sacrifices for my planet.
I look forward to seeing this matter reach a satisfactory conclusion ASAP. I'm sure you don't want word getting out around the galaxy that the Space Brigade is incapable of completing the simplest mission.
My wife and children send their fondest regards.
Yours,
Enrico,
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF,
PLANET OF SHOBBLE
Nicola threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. Her legs felt wobbly and strange.
'We have to get out of here right now,' she said. 'We have to get to Topaz fast and get her help.' Nicola imagined Katie starving, thirsty and gasping for air.
'Barbie said you should be resting,' said Shimlara. 'Maybe you should stay here while the rest of us go on and find Topaz.'