Rilla

'But I talked to the Commander yesterday, 'Rilla said. 'He wanted to see us at four-thirty. '

Kiah and Rilla sat down on the expensive green and black chairs and looked at the expensive flowers on the tables.

He did not smile. 'Rilla, your father's going to be angry. '

Kiah and Rilla waited. They waited and waited. At nearly twelve o'clock, a guard came into the office.

The next afternoon, Captain Seru's brother took Kiah and Rilla to a little room at the back of the prison.

Rilla took Kiah's hand. "You were right, " she said. "I'm sorry. "

'There he is! 'Rilla cried. 'Commander! 'And she began to run along the road to him.

The next day in Kisangani, Kiah and Rilla waited quietly in an office in Gog's house.

Kiah and Rilla waited. It was hot and Kiah began to feel thirsty.

Kiah took Rilla's hand, "Yes, " he said. "Let's get back to Kisangani. We can phone Adai again tomorrow. "

Kiah and Rilla sat on the floor near the door.

Rilla stood up. 'How do you do? 'she said. 'We want to talk to Earth Commander about the AOL. We have new numbers from the satellite. '

We know about Adai, Commander, " Rilla said. " But someone needs to talk to Earth Commander again.

'I don't want to leave Earth, 'Rilla said sadly. She felt tired and afraid.

A guard took Rilla into the prison, and soon she was with Kiah again.

Kiah and Rilla sat down.

Rilla looked down at the floor and said nothing.

'Yes, please, 'Seru said. 'I'm hungry. 'She looked at Kiah and Rilla. 'Things are very bad. '

Her brothers go off to fight, and Rilla brings home an orphaned newborn in a soup tureen.

We want to talk to you, Commander, " Rilla said. " It's very important.

'Your brother? Commander Adai? 'Rilla asked. 'But you didn't tell me that! '

But undreamed-of challenges await the irrepressible Rilla when the world of Ingleside becomes endangered by a far-off war.

The guards came in and took Rilla out.

Kiah and Rilla stood up. "Good evening, Commander, " they said.

Kiah and Rilla stood up. 'Good morning, Commander, ' they said.

Rilla looked at Kiah. "Earth Commander is a difficult man. I don't understand him. "

On Friday, after three weeks in space, Kiah and Rilla finished work and left Ship OM-45 on a space plane to Kisangani.

'What are we going to do next? 'Rilla asked.

'Adai! You never stop talking about Adai. What can he do? 'Rilla said. She felt angry.

Please help us! " Rilla cried, " Come and see Gog with us!

Rilla went across the room to his table.

Kiah stood in front of the Commander. Just then, Rilla arrived.

'Look! He's sitting under that tree, 'Rilla said.

Suddenly, Rilla felt ill. 'I can't eat now! 'she cried.

Rilla looked at Kiah. 'And then? 'she asked Captain Seru.

He waited, but Rilla said nothing.

'The AOL is important, not Commander Zadak, 'Rilla said.

Kiah and Rilla left the room, and walked slowly downstairs.

'OK, talk to Adai. But he's far away on the Moon colony, 'Rilla said. 'Let's visit Commander Zadak. '

Rilla's face went white. 'What happened? Tell me! '

'How can Adai help us? 'Rilla asked. 'He can't shoot all the guards here. '

'Why? Why do you want to know about Commander Zadak? ' Rilla asked.

The guards moved behind Kiah and Rilla, and Bel began to laugh. 'Goodbye! 'she said. 'You're