Game On: Alien Space Adventure (The Adventures of Jayden Banks and the Jameson Twins Book 1)

Outthink, outsmart, and outplay—boring. Changing the game—priceless.

Thirteen-year-old Jayden Banks fluffed up his bed pillow and adjusted his headset. He fidgeted more than usual, but it wasn't from the anticipation of another online battle. It was the game hack checklist that was driving him crazy. He’d activated the cheat codes after his best friend, Parker Jameson, had installed the attack code. But had they forgotten something?

Level 150 had been open to gamers for only four days, and Jayden and Parker were one battle away from leaderboard history. Conquering Level 150 in less than five days would surely get their names and pictures in the Galactic Blog of Fame.

After readjusting himself on his bed for the twentieth time, Jayden decided they were as ready as they'd ever be. Level 150, he muttered with anticipation. Game on.

He tapped the refresh button on his status screen and watched as their homegrown computer worm infected opposing avatars like a new flu virus. Updates appeared in a pop-up window on the tablet every second, showing each opposing avatar’s position and weapons status. Jayden almost grinned, then stopped short, and glanced at his golden retriever, Rox, curled up beside him on the bed.

With one hand, Jayden scratched Rox under the chin for luck, and gripped his dad's red mini-tablet in his other. He double-checked the battery level. Twelve hours remained.

Ready when you are, Jayden, crackled Parker’s voice through the speakers of his headset.

Seriously, stop using my real name! Jayden said. Parker obviously needed to review the rules.

Sorry, Killgeek, Parker muttered.

Jayden gazed at the screen. His reptilian avatar crouched behind a pile of rubble next to Parker's avatar. A quick tap with both of his thumbs widened Jayden's view. The city’s a mess, he whispered into the headset’s microphone. Two more taps made his avatar crack its scaly knuckles.

Yep, total chaos, Parker replied.

I can barely hear you. What’s up with your microphone? Jayden asked. You sound like you’re a million miles away.

Of course, that was ridiculous since Parker’s house was, in fact, only a thirty-second jog from Jayden’s house. Both of their families lived inside the Tinkerhill gated community of custom million-dollar homes in the historic downtown district of Los Gatos, California, near the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Hold on, Parker said, fumbling around with his headset. Is that better?

Yes . . . much, Jayden replied as he zoomed in on Parker’s avatar. Its green lizard head shook and sent drool everywhere like Rox did after chewing on his sock toy for an hour.

The payload is working perfectly, Parker said. I can see everything.

Jayden surveyed the pop-up window. I show six remaining, he said, counting them carefully. You see them? he asked Parker.

Yep. They destroyed our getaway transport.

How’d they do that?

How do you think, Jayden? Parker pointed his avatar’s long yellow fingernails at Jayden’s reptilian creature. Dirty bomb!

Jayden sighed. How many times do I have to tell you not to use my—

Sorry, Killgeek.

So how'd we miss the bomb? Jayden asked.

We forgot to include a radiation detector. Oh, and there’s more bad news.

Jayden surveyed the smoldering virtual street. What news?

Zeekmo is with them.

Jayden’s heart lurched. Zeekmo? She never watches this close to the front line.

She probably wants to reverse engineer our hack, Parker said. Personally, I think she figures our big green butts are mash.

Jayden felt his knuckles aching from gripping the tablet all morning. There had been way more surprises on this level than any before it—too many ridiculous twists. You’re pathetic, you know. You made me do all the work.

I was pinned, said Parker. I had to focus on taking out their hawk-eye’s laser on the roof.

Yeah right, amateur, Jayden said, adjusting his grip on the tablet. He tapped the controls, and his avatar bared its fanged teeth and hissed. You were out of position when they unloaded on us.

I got distracted, Parker replied, then cleared his throat. Hey, did you see that Raven avatar?

The monster with the dark blue feathers on its beak? Jayden asked.

Yep, wicked cool. I bet it’s a World Corp game monitor. I think they’re suspicious of us.

Just ignore them. They won’t be able to prove anything. Maybe they’ll hire us. And World Corp totally should hire them. After all, Parker was the best coder Jayden ever knew, besides Parker’s twin sister, Nora—aka Zeekmo.

Jayden’s avatar flicked its forked tongue in and out of its mouth, updating the tablet’s readout of environmental status. He saw the building fire getting closer to them.

Parker let out a loud sigh. Now what do we do?

I’ll launch my replicating blasters. Looks like our last stand.

You’re heaving all of them? Parker asked.

Not yet, Jayden replied as he checked weapon status. "It's time for our smoke-a-bloke strategy. Just sit tight and light for a momento."

Remember to take out Nora if she joins the fight, Parker said.

Dang it! Jayden had forgotten that Nora was watching. He felt his face heat up. I thought she wanted to be a designer, not a player. Do we have to take out Zeekmo?

Shut up, would you? Parker complained. If she stands with them, it’ll be the only way to capture their flag. You want to be first to rule World Corp’s new level, right?

Jayden sighed. Of course. No way did he want to take out Nora’s avatar, but he couldn’t tell Parker that. Let’s do this.

Parker’s muscular avatar aimed his weapon from behind a heap of rusty metal. I’ll whistle when I’m ready.

Jayden rolled his eyes. Parker’s birdcall whistle was pathetic. It sounded more like blowing a raspberry full of spit than a bird singing. He scanned through their game status one last time. Blaster shells ready. Laser charged. Life energy 5 percent. Enemy locations identified. Enemy weapon hack activated. Shields hacked. We're ready.

Good, here they come, Parker whispered.

Uh, oh, Jayden said. Just like you thought. Zeekmo’s avatar is with the Geckonian clan. He knew destroying Nora’s avatar was not the way to impress her.

Jayden heard Zeekmo shout, Fire!

A dozen more rival green Geckonians materialized out of nowhere.

Retreat! Parker screamed. Nora hacked my hack! She’s riding our game worm like a rodeo bull.

But it was way too late. Lasers zipped everywhere, and blaster explosions vibrated Jayden’s headset. Five members of the Geckonian clan charged forward.

Watch our backside! Let’s show these green buckets of flesh how we roll! Parker howled into his microphone.

The weapon fire increased and explosions rocked the scene. They’re destroying us! yelled Parker.

Three more Geckonian avatars appeared out of nowhere. Jayden watched in horror as the three quickly joined five others and jumped into the fight.

Oh man. Jayden hesitated. A wave of reality struck. The way Nora was using Jayden and Parker’s game hack against them was beyond brilliant as far as Jayden was concerned.

Parker made his raspberry sound and fired a blaster burst at the aliens. The explosions snapped Jayden out of his brain freeze. He fired his blasters as fast as he could.

When their rain of pain landed on target, green masses exploded like giant paint balloons.

For a moment, Jayden thought they might still triumph. Snap, winning, he thought, and then fired all his remaining weapons.

Jayden whistled to attract the alien's attention. Over here! he shouted.

Just as he started to release a cluster of replicating shells with his left thumb, a one-hundred-and-five-pound furry golden mass jumped straight onto his lap. Rox! Jayden screamed as the mini-tablet tumbled out of his hands, then crashed to his bedroom floor with the headset flattened under it.

Before he could move, Rox gave him a sloppy lick with extra saliva, and blinked his big brown eyes.

Gross. Go on, Rox! Jayden said, as he wiped the disgusting goo from the side of his face.

He stretched to twist on the bedroom lamp, afraid that his dad’s titanium trophy tablet was completely trashed. When Jayden picked up the tablet from the floor, a bright white light beamed from the display, illuminating the ceiling.

Unbelievable! The tablet was still alive!

But after a few seconds, the bright white light faded until it disappeared. Strange. Jayden took a closer look. The tablet was still intact and running, but there was a major dent in the red frame. Constantly changing, strange symbols filled its display.

Jayden squinted at the screen. Dad is so going to kill me, he whispered.

What looked like a website address suddenly appeared on the top line and remained fixed while the symbols continued to dance all over the tablet’s display. Instead of the usual website format, the address read: vlaic://385647n77932w.

Every second a symbol changed to a different symbol. Jayden was sure something inside the tablet had short circuited, or worse, melted. The information on the screen made no sense to him. It was official: the tablet had gone crazy.

He put the headset back on and adjusted the microphone. Parker? You still connected?

Yep. Why'd you hesitate yet again? What happened?

It was true. Lately, Jayden had been hesitating at the worst possible time during battle, but that was the last thing he wanted to discuss.

Rox decided to team kill me, Jayden replied. How’d we end up?

Zeekmo modified our attack worm all right. Turned it against us like a rabid dog. Zeekmo’s avatar used wearable weapons on her hands, knees, and elbows. But before she could kill us, we blew up our massive butts . . . So much for level 1-5-0.

You mean—

Our alien-splatter is everywhere. They got our flag dude . . . it’ll set us back at least a hundred levels. Parker sighed. Zeekmo slaughtered us.

Jayden peered at the strange symbols moving across the tablet’s screen. I think my dad’s tablet is broken. When Rox killed me, it hit the floor. Now it’s acting possessed.

You broke his ‘Investment Banker of the Year’ award? The fastest tablet in the known universe? More expensive than my dad’s Mercedes?

Jayden groaned. Looks like it . . . The one and only.

You’re so screwed, Parker blurted out.

Not helpful, Jayden said. Seriously, get over here and help me fix it.

Be there in five. G-striker, out.

Chapter 2

Parker launched himself through the open window into Jayden’s bedroom, jumping onto the floor with flourish, his arms in the air. A perfect dismount! he said, beaming.

Can’t you use the front door like a normal human? Jayden asked.

Why, dude, when I can take the direct route? Parker adjusted his ever-present black baseball cap over his curly, caramel-colored hair. Most of the time, Parker wore a ball cap with Pop Star printed on its crown, turned sideways. He told Jayden it topped off his epically cool-look of faded jeans and a black t-shirt with WINNING printed in bold white letters. Even when it was eighty degrees outside, he wore a flimsy black leather jacket over it. Naturally, kids at school called him, Pop Star.

In Jayden’s opinion, Parker was the worst singer on planet Earth. He couldn't even rap. The same kids in class had tagged Jayden, Surfer Boy, but at least that made some sort of sense. After all, he lived in the Santa Cruz foothills only a short drive from the Cali beach community of Santa Cruz. His dark brown complexion made his shoulder length, sandy blonde hair appear sun-bleached. But Jayden avoided all things saltwater, especially when there was potential to become Great White shark bait.

Together, the two friends had been labeled The Odd Squad. But that didn’t bother Jayden. It actually helped them because no one suspected the so-called Surfer Boy and the Pop Star duo were a game hacker team. Well, no one except for Parker’s twin sister, Nora.

Rox jumped up to give Parker a nice, big slurp.

Okay, let’s see the patient, Parker said, nuzzling Rox before crossing to the bed and grabbing the tablet. He pulled out the headset connection and moved the screen close to his face.

No way, said Parker. The tablet has gone nuts.

Obviously . . . The input is locked out too. Do you think it’s totally hosed? Jayden groaned when Rox once again jumped on him.

No clue, he replied. Here, hold up the tablet and smile. I want to take a selfie. Parker pulled out his mobile and snapped a photo.

Why? Jayden shook his head in disgust.

I want to record how Rox killed you before your dad does it for reals, Parker said with a laugh.

If the mini-tablet turned out to be burnt toast, Jayden knew his dad would restrict his online access and ruin his life forever, or at least for a couple weeks. Up until this point, Jayden had been proud that he’d avoided major drama, school conflicts, and girl problems. Although honestly, after turning thirteen, he actually wanted girl problems. Especially if it involved Nora.

Jayden hated to disappoint his dad, aka Mr. Banks. After all, his dad ran the largest high-tech hedge fund in Cali’s Silicon Valley, and Jayden’s mom sat on the corporate board. It had taken months for Jayden to convince his parents that teen-gamers, like Parker and him, would give their investment company an edge when considering new gaming company investments. Of course, neither Jayden’s dad nor mom had a clue he and Parker were hacking their way through the games to the top of the leader boards, leaving game modification Easter eggs behind like rabbit turds.

Jayden flinched as the mini-tablet began making a repetitive, high-pitched beep that sounded like the tones in a hearing test. With each new beep, the volume grew louder. He tossed the tablet onto his bed like a hot potato. The symbols on the screen flashed, changed to bold, and then flashed again. The red tablet acted like a ticking time bomb counting down to explode.

Did you press the reset button? Parker asked.

Jayden’s face twisted. Seriously, Parker? What do you think?

Well? Parker persisted.

Of course . . . you moron. Jayden groaned. It didn’t work, duh.

Jayden grabbed the tablet and discretely tried it again just to be sure.

The beeps continued faster and louder, each one a different tone.

Then the beeping abruptly stopped, and the numbers and letters disappeared. The blank screen changed from black to bright-blue. After a second, a message in bold letters appeared at the center of the tablet’s screen:

CIA - SECC

Unauthorized Access Is a Felony

Parker’s eyes went wide. CIA? Felony? We’re so screwed.

Jayden's heart pounded against his chest as the tablet continued making the annoying, high-pitched sounds. He gazed at the tablet the same way he looked at Rox whenever his furry friend brought home a dead rodent.

What’s SECC? he asked Parker.

Parker shrugged. No clue.

After one final, loud noise, the tablet went silent, and the blue screen turned back to black.

A loud thump rattled the bedroom door.

Jayden and Parker jumped.

Are you fine? asked Rosa from the other side of the door. Rosa was born in Belize. Without asking Jayden, his parents had hired her last summer to take care of their house and watch over him when his parents traveled on business. Rosa had moved in and become part of their family soon after.

Parker frowned. What’d she say?

Jayden waved him off. We’re good, he called through the door to Rosa. Just playing a game.

Fine, good. No eat in the room! she shouted, and then walked away.

What do you think? Jayden whispered to Parker.

Looks whacked, he replied. Breaking news, Jayden Banks gets banned from the Internet for life and won’t be allowed to drive his father’s Porsche until it becomes a classic. Parker snickered like a five-year-old and adjusted his black ball cap. The babes will love going out with you, Surfer Boy. I hear public transportation is considered totally current. You’ll have the babes lining up.

Would you shut up? So not helpful.

Parker’s face tightened. We need to get Nora’s help.

Jayden’s heart thumped as though it were playing a massive metal bass riff. Annora Jameson, aka Nora, aka Zeekmo, also known as dream girl to Jayden. She was an inch taller than him with long, curly brown hair that covered a birthmark on her lower back just above her waistband. He had spotted the mark one day at school and thought it resembled a flying wasp tat.

Jayden noticed more about Nora than he wanted to admit. Especially her killer tan, though Parker said she spent most of her time online in her room behind a closed door. Parker claimed the tan was spray on, but Jayden didn’t care if it was man-made. All he knew was her bright brown eyes pulled him in like tractor beams. She was on Jayden’s dream girl list of one. Or as Rosa would say, "Las perspectivas de la lista."

The other reason she was on his perspectivas lista: she might’ve been a talented hacker, a superior cracker that could break into almost any computer, and the next top game designer, but when it came to online shooter games, Jayden wanted her flag. That might happen too if he didn’t get so freaking nervous every time she was close.

But honestly, he realized capturing her flag probably wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. She could easily out-hack Jayden and Parker without much effort. Their avatars didn’t stand a chance playing against Nora.

Your sister would help us? Jayden asked.

Yep, Parker replied.

Jayden was suddenly aware of the hot air blasting from his bedroom vent. Seriously? Why?

Parker stood straight and beamed. Because we’re going to motivate her.

Jayden’s heart lodged firmly in his throat. Motivate . . . how? The massive metal bass riff paused. He steadied himself.

You'll see. Let’s roll, Parker replied. To my house.

Chapter 3

Parker burst through his front door with Jayden on his heels and skidded to a stop. Jayden didn't notice until it was too late. He crashed into Parker, nearly knocking him into the next room.

Parker collected himself and stood while Jayden brushed himself off and peered over his friend’s shoulder at Parker’s parents. They had both turned away from their one-hundred-ten-inch flat screen television to peer at them over dark 3D viewing glasses.

Jayden held back the urge to laugh out loud at the glasses, which seemed two sizes too big for their faces. But he wasn't shocked. The glasses were just like the ones his parents owned along with all the latest electronics, three-dimensional flat screens, and high-definition gadgets.

Hi, Jayden, how are you this fine evening? Mrs. Jameson asked. Her petite head looked besieged by frizzy brown hair.

Epic fail, he thought. If Parker’s parents knew Jayden had his dad’s prized possession, they’d tell his dad for sure. Everyone in the valley knew about his Jayden's dad's cherished red mini-tablet. It was the first thing he showed people when they came to their house.

Jayden swallowed hard. Fine, ma’am. Thank you. He quickly hid the seven-inch tablet in a custom pocket Rosa had sewn into the back of his white t-shirt. He wore the t-shirt under his favorite black hoody. The one with Drake’s equation printed on it in big white letters. He thought Dr. Frank Drake was seriously brilliant, like Gates and Jobs. But Drake was the scientist who’d dreamed up an equation for calculating the total number of alien civilizations living in the universe.

And how’s that father of yours? Mr. Jameson asked with a foghorn tone, and then shot him an artificially whitened smile.

Good, Jayden squeaked.

His tablet has got to be the most unusual mini ever created—the first quantum prototype, he added.

I love the color, Mrs. Jameson said softly. Bright red like ripe cherries with gold sparkles . . . Real gold too.

Mr. Jameson nodded. Impressive.

The tablet moved slightly under the back of Jayden’s sweatshirt. His heart skipped a beat as he reached around and fumbled to readjust it with his fingertips.

Mr. Jameson continued. Personally, I thought it’d take twenty more years before quantum computing was productized.

Parker pointed toward his bedroom. We’re in the middle of a project, you know. We don’t have time for small talk.

Jayden raised an eyebrow. Parker never shied away from speaking his mind.

Your father didn’t mean to interrupt you boys, Mrs. Jameson said with a forced smile. Now did you, dear?

Not at all, Mr. Jameson replied. You go back to earning all that — intern loot. Testing out new games is hard work, I’m sure. He chuckled as his gaze remained fixed on the flat screen, watching a reporter drone on about some international aid organization.

Jayden’s head swung around when he heard the reporter’s phrase, World Corporation. He glanced at Parker and nodded towards the television screen.

World Corporation, the international maker of online games, is expanding their recruitment and education program, continued the reporter. Representatives of the company tell us they’re hiring teens, ages thirteen to seventeen. World Corp will teach them all aspects of software design to work on the next generation of the hit game Space Expeditionary Combat Command in their international development offices. Kids will be able to finish school abroad. All expenses are paid and the money earned goes straight to a parent’s bank account. World Corporation’s recruits receive real life experiences and travel to exotic places with talented gaming development teams. . . .

Jayden’s dad had seen a similar report a few nights back but had told Jayden to forget it. He’d said, World Corp should stick with software development in the US. Jayden knew the only exotic travel he would likely experience was a virtual trip to one of World Corp’s online game worlds.

As the news report continued on the television, Jayden and Parker made a beeline to Parker’s bedroom. A Keep Out sign dangled on the middle of the door. Inside was a certifiable disaster area with a ripe trash dump smell. Parker’s bed was unmade, and Jayden counted three piles of dirty clothes and two towers of books framing the computer display on his small desk. A half-eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the back of the desk caught his eye. Beside the PB&J was a drinking glass containing a white, thick liquid with a solid layer of grossness on top. Gag me. He guessed the milk was seriously past its good until date.

Is she home? Jayden asked.

Yep. Let me do the talking, Parker replied. You just nod.

Jayden felt his face heating up. He had been hoping to talk to Nora for a while, maybe even get some one-on-one. They left Parker’s room and tiptoed up to Nora’s closed door.

Now what? Jayden whispered.

Parker smiled and pounded on her door with a closed fist. Nora, you in there? Jayden’s here to see you.

Jayden shoved him against the door. You’re a jerk, he snarled.

Not now, P-brane, Nora yelled through the door. Tell the string frag to vibrate out the front door.

Peabrain? Jayden asked. "String frag?