Shimlara's voice came over the radio. "This is Shimlara."
"Have you--"
"Over!"
"Beg your pardon?" said Nicola.
"I forgot to say over after I said 'This is Shimlara.' Over."
"Oh, okay. What have you got to report?"
"Shimlara?"
"Sorry, I was waiting for you to say over! Over."
Princess Petronella snickered.
"Have you read the minds of any of the Volcomanian soldiers?" asked Nicola. "What are they thinking? Over."
"They're all very relaxed. Most of them seem to think that we've chickened out," said Shimlara. "Dad says he's never read more smug minds. Oh, and Squid wanted me to tell you that a soldier called Pete is looking forward to a fried armchair for his dinner. I think his reading might be a bit off. Over."
"Thanks, Shimlara," said Nicola. "Over and out."
She turned to look at the princess. "It's time to attack."
"You have my approval," said Princess Petronella grandly.
Nicola hid a smile and picked up her radio. "Come in Sean, Katie, Greta, Tyler, and Henry!"
The other platoon captains were all scattered at different points overlooking the valley. Everyone except for Henry answered immediately.
"Henry?" said Nicola.
"Sorry!" said Henry after a second. "I was overcome by the eerie sensation of hearing your voice through this remarkable machine."
"I want you to attack on the count of three," said Nicola into the radio.
"Four," interrupted Princess Petronella. "Nobody ever does anything important on the count of three. You do it on the count of four."
"On Earth we--" began Nicola. "Oh, forget it. Fine." She clicked the button on the radio again. "On the count of four, I want you to attack. One . . ."
"Four?" Greta's cranky voice spoke through the radio. "Don't you mean three?"
Henry spoke up. "On the Planet of Whimsy we do things on the count of twenty-two. It's such a pleasing number."
Oh for heaven's sake.
"Attack! " cried Nicola. "Attack now! "
CHARTER 36
Nicola held her breath.This could be highly embarrassing if it didn't work.
"Nothing is happening," said Princess Petronella.
"Wait. Listen."
First there was a sound like galloping hooves.