Streaks of Purple Saga Volume Four - Heather Ray (little red riding hood ebook txt) 📗

deal, but now it's really out of the way. Eventually, he'll need to work out a better schedule."

"Speaking of schedules..." Aisha piped up, pulling a folded sheet from her pocket. "Let's compare. The least the school system can do is try to keep the Stone Canyon transferees together whenever possible."

"So you just transferred?" a new voice asked. Aisha and Adam turned around, and were surprised to see a group of seven teens gathered near them. The one who had spoken, a pretty Asian girl, extended her hand to Aisha.

"Then let me welcome you to Angel Grove High," she continued, "I'm Trini."

Aisha smiled in return, shaking her hand. "My name's Aisha, and this is Adam."

Adam grinned shyly, taking Trini's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." She then indicated her friends. "This is Alexis, Jason, Zack, Kim, Tommy, and Billy."

"So, you're from Stone Canyon?" Zack noted, "I did hear something about some students transferring to Angel Grove. Your school got pretty messed up in that monster attack last week, right?"

Aisha huffed. "Tell

me about it. An entire wing of the building was totally flattened. The school can only handle about three-quarters the student population, so the Board decided to distribute three-hundred students amongst all neighboring high schools."

"Estimates say it'll take about two years until the school's back in top shape," Adam picked up, "so the transfers are permanent. Everyone moved to a different high school will have to graduate there."

Kim noticed the white cloth that peeked out of Aisha's sweater sleeve. "Uh... was anyone hurt in that battle?"

"Not seriously," Aisha responded. She then rolled up her sleeve, revealing the bandaging that wrapped her entire forearm. "In fact, I think I'm the only one who was hurt." She then grinned fiercely. "But I did

get to meet the Yellow Ranger, though. It was totally worth it! Get this, I was in the computer lab-"

As his animated friend dove into the tale of her Ranger encounter, Adam watched his new friends' reaction. He noted with surprise that they all seemed to be fighting back smiles.

What's so funny about Aisha's story? Maybe because seeing those alien monsters is an everyday thing around here...

He blinked curiously as the rest of the group sneaked fleeting glances at Trini.

Is she... blushing?

"Besides," Aisha continued, "it's no biggie. My dad assures me I'll be back in my gi by Monday, though I won't be able to compete anytime soon..."

That tickled Tommy's ear. "You take martial arts?"

Adam smiled widely. "We both do. In fact, before Aisha's injury we were in the running for the Team Ninja Finals with our friend R-"

His thoughts were interrupted by the shrill tone of the bell.

Kim cringed. "Sorry! We made you late to your first class!"

Aisha smirked. "Yeah right... like I

wasn't doing all the talking!"

"Maybe you can help us find our classes?" Adam suggested, "That way, we'll be less late."

"Sure," Jason offered, "where're you heading?"

Aisha and Adam consulted their schedules.

"Honors U.S. History, room 112," Aisha answered.

"A.P. Physics, in lab 101," Adam responded.

Billy's face instantly lit up in excitement. "The Advanced Placement Physics program desperately needs able participants. Only five students signed up."

"Well... now there're six."

"We'd be happy to show you the way," Trini offered.

"We've got the same History class," Jason informed Aisha.

The group began to disperse, forming smaller groups to head to class. Kim took a moment to wave to the crowd. "See you all at the assembly!"

Chapter Five

"And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more."

The Dutch scholar closed the leather-bound volume cradled in his palm, and slid his reading glasses off his aquiline nose. "A quotation from the Biblical book of Isaiah, made famous by the United Nations. A powerful image, is it not? All forms of war will end. Even the tools of war- swords, canons, guns, missiles- will be transformed into farming implements. Made productive, rather than destructive."

He rested the Bible on his podium, and leaned closer to the microphone. "There used to be a statue of a man beating a sword into a plowshare on display in the United Nations building in New York. But I believe... and always have believed... that the emphasis was misguided. For the statue brought focus to the goal... the worldwide peace... instead of the means to get there. A world of peace seems impossible, unless you examine the path that brings us there. And that very path is identified by the prophet: 'neither will they learn war any more.'"

He was silent for a moment, letting the observation sink in. "The key to ending all strife in this world by ending the learning

of war. My generation, and those before me, have learned war. We have learned to hate and mistrust others, based solely on their appearance, language, or religion. So many are misguided, because they have been taught that war is the only way to insure peace. But the only peace in their minds is a world without bombs dropping in their backyards. The heart of the matter... the hatred and mistrust... must be addressed. The next generation must learn

peace. Must learn to see beyond the superficial, and accept those different from themselves. Your

generation, now filled with hope and youthful zeal, must never learn to hate."

The audience was absolutely rapt at the message carried by the gentle European accent. All the students watched him walk away from the podium, and lift a remote control. The lights dimmed, and a slideshow began to play on the large white projection screen.

On the screen were various pictures of youths... just like them. Teenagers of so many different backgrounds it was impossible to count them all. Laughing, eating, talking, debating as equals.

The speaker paused at one screen, which displayed a large stadium. Hundreds of people filled the stands, and the sign hanging above the center stage read "1st Annual Teen Youth Summit."

"This had been my dream for decades," he continued, "A forum of exchange, designed for youths around the world. A chance for your generation to avoid the pitfalls of hate and scorn by meeting the individuals so often buried under stereotype. After a lifetime of work, last year we held the First Annual Teen Youth Summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Nearly a thousand youths... just like you... attended the year-long program. Think of it as a foreign studies program, only instead of learning one culture, delegates learned dozens. This first year was such an overwhelming success, we've decided to expand the program even further, including as many as five thousand high school age students from every walk of life."

The lights came back on, illuminating the wide, fatherly smile of the speaker. "That is why I am here. Representatives from the First Annual Teen Youth Summit have traveled around the world, promoting this campaign for world peace. As optimistic as I may be, I know it is not within the power of my generation to bring about true, lasting peace. But I do

believe it can be achieved... by you. So much can be achieved in your youth, when your mind and heart are open to compromise and understanding. Thank you."

The room erupted into applause as the speaker took a courteous bow, and sat down amongst the row of presenters on stage. Then, Mr. Caplan rose from his seat, clapping as he made his way to the podium.

"Thank you very much, Dr. Kuiperi, for your enlightening, inspiring message of peace. Dr. Kuiperi and his staff will be in Angel Grove for the next two weeks, holding interviews with those of you interested in applying for the Second Teen Youth Summit. Three students from Angel Grove High will be selected, and will subsequently join Dr. Kuiperi in Geneva for a twelve-month program. Now, are there any questions?"

The lights above the audience blazed to life, and the principal scanned the raised hands. "Yes, Trini?"

Trini stood up. "What will the program entail?"

A handheld microphone was passed to Natasha Trotsky, Program Coordinator. "The program will span twelve months, December 1, 1995 to December 1, 1996. Individual students will take four hours of high-school equivalency education daily, administered in small classes that are carefully designed to match the education that delegates will miss due to participation in the program. Also, there will be mock-debates on world issues, presentations by each student describing his or her worldview, and several good-will trips to impoverished, war-torn, or otherwise needy lands, under the direction of the World Health Organization. In addition, each delegate will have the opportunity to take four week-long trips to the capitals of different members of the United Nations."

"Next question?" Mr. Caplan requested, scanning the audience. "Zack?"

"Yeah... what happens after the year's up?"

Natasha handed the microphone to Tamara, delegate from Tel Aviv, Israel. "That is an excellent question. As was determined for the First summit, a select group of participants will be invited to remain in the program, to assist with the coordination of the following year's summit. Also, others have chosen to volunteer several months to localized humanitarian projects, assisting in not-for-profit distribution of medical supplies, food, clothing, and education to needy lands. Still others, such as myself, remain for a few months to travel the world, spreading the lessons learned from the summit to dozens of cities. And, of course, all have the opportunity to return home, and continue their education and careers. Though, those who do remain in the program are also given equivalent education, so they don't fall behind."

"Violet?" Mr. Caplan called.

The shy brunette rose. "How are the three Angel Grove representatives chosen?"

The microphone was returned to Dr. Kuiperi. "The first step involves a written application, which are available in the main office once this assembly ends. The application is similar to one used for college admission or a scholarship, including a few background questions, grade reports, awards earned, activities, and several paragraph-long written answers. Those applications are reviewed on a first-come basis, and fifty will be selected for fifteen-minute interviews, conducted by any one of us. Finally, we convene again and discuss our selection. The selected delegates will be contacted privately, and subsequently released to local media by November 15th. That leaves candidates two weeks to settle their affairs, and they will come to Geneva sometime before December 1st, when orientation begins."

"Okay, we have time for one more question," Mr. Caplan revealed, glancing at his watch. "Go ahead, Carlos."

"How often do delegates visit their families?" the freshman soccer star inquired.

Natasha chose to answer. "The program is designed to fully immerse participants in other cultures and ways of thinking. As a