Spy Pups Danger Island
Famous dogs:
Lassie: (film-star dog) intelligent, dignified, good-looking
Shep: (the original Blue Peter dog) bright, energetic, full of beans
Pickles: (dog that found the stolen World Cup trophy) handsome, alert, faithful
Laika: (first animal in space) intelligent, obedient, supremely clever
Scooby-Doo: (crime-fighting dog) funny, clever, can sort of talk
Lara: (Andrew Cope’s dog) ugly, smelly, very few brain cells
So, reader, which of the above is the odd one out? You see, Lara is a bit … well … odd. Which got Andrew thinking about whether she was just hiding her talents. Playing them down in a totally hidden sort of way. And, hey presto, ‘Spy Dog’ was born. And then some puppies were born. And the rest, as they say, is history.
If you want Lara or her puppy to visit your school, please email her at lara@artofbrilliance.co.uk. They’ll probably have to bring Andrew Cope along too, but don’t let that put you off. Or you can find out more about the Spy Dog and Spy Pups books online at www.spydog451.co.uk, where there are pictures, videos and competitions too!
Books by Andrew Cope
Spy Dog
Spy Dog 2
Spy Dog Unleashed!
Spy Dog Superbrain
Spy Dog Rocket Rider
Spy Dog Teacher’s Pet
Spy Pups Treasure Quest
Spy Pups Prison Break
Spy Pups Circus Act
Spy Pups Danger Island
ANDREW COPE
Illustrated by James de la Rue
PUFFIN
PUFFIN BOOKS
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 2Y3 (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Ireland, 25 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd)
Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd)
Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi – 110 017, India
Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd)
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
puffinbooks.com
First published 2011
Text copyright © Andrew Cope, 2011
Illustrations copyright © James de la Rue, 2011
All rights reserved
The moral right of the author and illustrator has been asserted
Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-0-141-33209-3
To all those who think they can’t.
Guess what?
You’re wrong!
Global thanks and hellos
For Meg, Gareth and Emma … I hope this book reaches you in South Africa?
For Kaavya. Thanks for looking after me in Delhi
And for Em and Harry Duffy. New Zealand? Great move!
Message to all of you … keep reading, it’s great for your brain.
x
Contents
1 Monster from the Deep
2 August is Gloop
3 Top Dog
4 O24U
5 Toxic Terror
6 Star Jumps
7 Water Puppy
8 Cave Man
9 A Big Plan
10 Checking In
11 A Million-to-One Chance
12 Mission Control
13 The Great Escape
14 Followed
15 Sinking Feeling
16 Sub Pup
17 Leg Irons
18 Bat Man
19 A Real Mission
20 Dogs United
21 Lesser Spotted Jimmy
22 The Sixty-Mile-an-Hour Dog
23 An Unusual Catch
24 A Special Reward
1. Monster from the Deep
‘There you go, boy,’ said the man, kneeling down to unclip the dog’s lead. ‘Go and have a scamper on the beach.’
The small dog darted off, leaving doggy paw prints in the sand. The dog didn’t mind that it was nearly midnight. Nor did the man. The seaside made him feel like a teenager and he was so excited he couldn’t sleep. It was a beautiful August night. Short-sleeves weather. The full moon shimmered across the ocean, which roared in the background. The man removed his shoes and socks and squeezed the cool sand between his toes. He strolled to the water’s edge where the waves pounded the shore, then skipped backwards like a child to avoid the froth. The man couldn’t help but grin. He loved holidays.
His dog ran across the sand, chasing a crab. The man picked up a stick and called to his pet. He threw the stick towards the sea and the dog tore after it, returning quickly, ready for more. ‘OK, boy,’ said the man, bending to pick up the stick. ‘One more throw and then we really must get some shut-eye.’ He hurled the stick towards the water. ‘Go, Timmy,’ he encouraged. ‘Fetch!’
The dog started after the stick. Then it stopped suddenly. ‘Go on, boy,’ laughed the man. ‘You love swimming, remember?’ The moon disappeared behind a cloud, casting the beach into darkness. Timmy growled. Without the moonlight the man couldn’t see his dog. Instead he heard a snarl and a yelp of fear. ‘What’s up, Timmy?’ he shouted. ‘Where are you, boy?’
With no silvery moonlight the sea was now a seething black mass, with white waves crashing to shore. The man wasn’t sure whether it was due to the cold or fear, but he pulled up his collar. As he stepped towards the sea, Timmy shot past him, howling in terror, his tail between his legs.
The man felt a chill run down his spine. ‘What on earth …?’ he began, peering at the ocean. He froze with fear. A huge black creature reared up and glared at him. It groaned and revealed razor-sharp teeth. As the monster lunged towards him the man put his hands to his face to protect himself. He’d never seen such a terrifying sight. But instead of attacking him the creature dived back into the ocean, creating a huge wave that knocked the man off his feet. The cold water brought him to his senses and he jumped up and ran, yelping louder than his dog.
2. August is Gloop
‘I’ve got bigger fish to fry, sir,’ explained the police officer. ‘Every news reporter and camera crew in the country is in town. They’re saying it’s another hit by the “Toxic Terror”. All I know is that if I ever get my hands on whoever it is, they’ll know what terror is!’
‘So you’re not going to investigate the monster?’ asked the man. ‘It was huge, I’m telling you. Black, with massive teeth.’ The man opened his mouth and pointed, in case the policeman didn’t understand what teeth were. ‘It even terrified my dog! I thought I w
as a goner.’
The policeman shook his head. ‘I’ve taken your statement, sir, and we’ll look into it as soon as the dust has settled on this little crisis.’ He waved his arm around the beach.
‘But don’t you see?’ said the man. ‘There’s a monster lurking out there, officer. A killer. It’s not safe to swim! You must warn the tourists!’
The policeman sighed and snapped his notebook shut. ‘Sir,’ he began, ‘your monster from the black lagoon was probably just a dolphin. Or a trick of the light,’ he said. ‘And as for it not being safe to swim … Do you really think anyone’s going to swim in that?’
The man looked at the beach. The officer had a point. Last night’s cool yellow sand had been replaced by sticky black sludge. The white-peaked waves weren’t crashing to the shore, they were oozing in and breaking in a gloopy mess. The sea was oily black.
‘This is the busiest holiday month of the year. And yesterday,’ reminded the policeman, ‘that was one of the cleanest beaches in the country. Today there’s enough oil on it to fry chips.’
Both men stared at the scene. There were no tourists on the beach; instead it was populated with news reporters all desperate to get a new angle on the Toxic Terror.
‘So here we are on Haven Beach,’ began one reporter, talking straight to a camera. ‘As you can see, the pictures tell a tale of environmental disaster. Nobody knows where the oil came from, but what we do know is that yesterday this was a Blue Flag beach, one of the cleanest in the country. And now it’s, well …’ she said, pausing for effect, ‘it’s been black flagged. There won’t be any tourists in this town for the summer season.’ She gave a grim smile to the camera. ‘Here with me I have one of the country’s leading environmental experts, Professor Axon.’ She turned to the woman beside her. ‘Professor, tell us about the so-called “Toxic Terror”,’ the reporter said. ‘Have the authorities got any clues as to who’s behind these environmental crimes?’
‘Toxic Terror indeed,’ the professor said. ‘As you know, this disaster is just another in a series of ecological mishaps that have taken place along Britain’s coast. As you’ve reported in the past month, every single oil disaster has been on a Blue Flag beach. It seems the culprit is wiping out the very cleanest parts of the British coastline one by one. Hardly any of these beaches remain.’
The reporter nodded, looking serious, as she turned back to the camera. ‘As we heard earlier,’ she said, building up for a big finale, ‘there are now only three Blue Flag beaches left. It seems the many sea birds and fish that have suffered from this oil aren’t the only endangered species. The traditional seaside holiday may soon become a thing of the past.’
3. Top Dog
Lara and her two pups Spud and Star had spent a day with their leading expert, Professor Maximus Cortex. The professor was one of the world’s top scientists, and the brains behind the British government’s animal spying programme. He knew a top dog when he saw one.
The scientist looked down at his clipboard and then peered over his spectacles at the puppies. He addressed the black and white puppy first, his face breaking into a warm smile. ‘Good work, Agent Star,’ he smiled. ‘Your fitness levels are top-notch. Dare I say, you’re even fitter than your mother was at this stage of her training.’
Star sat proudly, her neck stretched with pride. Her mum nodded approvingly.
Her brother sat beside her, his tail swishing, more in hope than expectation. Professor Cortex turned his attention to the black puppy. The angle of his eyebrow told Spud all he needed to know. ‘That’s worse than last week, young pup,’ he noted. ‘Your fitness levels leave a lot to be desired.’
Spud sat, his head hanging in shame, his tongue hanging from the side of his mouth. He tried to hold his tummy in a bit. Sorry, Prof, he wagged. But this frame’s not built for speed. I’m more of an ideas dog. You know, a problem-solver, a thinker, creative solutions, an IT specialist. Good with gadgets. That kind of thing. If you want speed and fitness, he nodded towards his sister, that’s her game.
Star was a sleek black and white fitness machine. She had completed the three-mile run in record time and, what’s more, she wasn’t even panting. Spud loved his sister, but it was frustrating that she was so fit and bouncy.
‘If you want to qualify as a Spy Dog, you will have to improve, Spud,’ warned the professor. ‘Tomorrow is your big day. The pair of you will be completing the SAS assault course, against real soldiers. These are the fittest, meanest and toughest that this country has to offer. And you have to keep up with them. Got it?’
Star wagged enthusiastically. Got it, Prof. Bring it on! ‘Come on, bro,’ she woofed. ‘Let’s be positive. If we work together, we can rise to the challenge. This time tomorrow we are going to qualify as fully fledged Spy Dogs – just like Ma!’
Spud nodded. It was all he’d ever wanted, to follow in his mum’s footsteps and graduate as a proper Spy Dog. Spud’s ambition was to go on a real mission. Sure, he and his sister had had a couple of accidental adventures. But I want at least one proper, 100% dangerous James Bond-style mission.
Their mum nodded in encouragement. Even though she was retired now, as the world’s first-ever Spy Dog she knew what it took to pass the fitness test. Lara thought back to her Spy School days. In those days I was code name GM451, she thought proudly. My real name came from the initials Licensed Assault and Rescue Animal, the first graduate of the professor’s Spy School. Top of the class by a mile, she smiled. Lara liked to think that the puppies had inherited her strengths. Star had her speed and endurance. She can run forever! Lara remembered back to her crime-fighting adventures. With all those baddies I captured, physical fitness was crucial. And what Spud lacked in fitness he made up for in brains. Between them, they were the perfect team.
There was more than enough action and adventure, she remembered, putting her paw to her sticky-up ear. This bullet hole is a reminder! Lara shuddered as she remembered her close encounter with Mr Big, an evil villain who had tried to kill her several times. Too close for comfort! Mr Big was the evilest baddie imaginable. She thought back to a recent adventure and breathed a sigh of relief. That aeroplane accident means he’s gone for good!
Since Lara had been allowed to retire from active service, she’d concentrated on being a normal family pet. Except life is far from ‘normal’. All I want to do is be a mum. And keep the puppies safe from harm. But Lara knew that she could never truly relax. Because of her past there might always be baddies trying to seek revenge on her. Professor Cortex had advised her to make sure the puppies were up to speed with the latest gadgets and spying techniques. ‘You never know when enemy agents from the past might attack again,’ he’d warned. And unfortunately Mr Big was just one of many people she’d put behind bars.
So Lara had agreed to put Spud and Star through their paces. She was certain that they’d never leave home and go on deadly missions. But there seems to be enough adventure in the neighbourhood to keep them occupied, she sighed. Peace and quiet? Not a chance!
The Cook family’s people carrier pulled up and the children jumped out. Lara had lived with the Cooks since they adopted her from the RSPCA a few years ago, not knowing she was a Spy Dog. But they got suspicious when she started surfing the Internet and practising her karate moves in the back yard. Eventually her secret identity had to be revealed, and so the family had been close to Professor Cortex ever since.
Sophie was first through the door today, throwing her arms around Spud’s chubby frame. ‘How did it go, little fella?’ she asked. ‘Did you pass the fitness test?’
Spud’s ears flopped and his belly drooped. ‘Not great,’ he yapped. Perhaps I need to stay off the donuts for a while?
The Cooks’ youngest, Ollie, charged in next and made a beeline for Star. ‘Top of the class?’ he asked. Star sat proudly, her wag giving away her super result.
Ben strolled in last. He was the oldest and the coolest of the c
hildren. He and Lara had a special bond and often spent time together, fishing at the lake, riding their bikes or camping in the rain. He patted his dog on the head and she looked up adoringly.
Being a family pet is just the best thing ever! she wagged.
‘Mum’s waiting in the car today,’ said Sophie. ‘She said something about she’d “rather not know” when I asked if she wanted to see the latest gadgets.’
Professor Cortex blushed. He was used to being in trouble with Mrs Cook when the children and pups accidentally got into danger. ‘OK … yes, well, we’re all present and correct then.’ He winked at the children and excited dogs. ‘And have I got some gadgets for you!’
Professor Cortex lived for his work. He loved Lara and he’d grown very fond of the children too. Ben, Sophie and Ollie had got used to the professor’s frantic arm-waving – they realized this was just his sheer enthusiasm for Spy School, and especially his inventions. Some of his gadgets were brilliant and others totally useless. On the brilliant side he’d invented satnav dog collars, and a rocket-powered skateboard for George the tortoise. On the downside he’d invented an automatic haircutter that had totally embarrassed Dad. Last time they were at Spy School the professor had shown them his latest invention – a torch that worked in the daylight.
Ben had scratched his head in puzzlement. ‘Not sure about that one, Prof,’ he’d admitted. ‘I mean, what’s the point?’
The professor had looked a little disappointed. ‘I see what you mean,’ he’d agreed. ‘Maybe it’s an idea that’s ahead of its time.’