The Soft Wire: Betrayal On Orbis 2

By Author: Alex Armas
Total Articles: 74
Comment this article

Imagine being able to enter and manipulate any computer system with your mind. Picture being sold to an alien world run by a central computer able to translate alien languages and keep its people under constant surveillance. Now consider being a teenage slave on that world, at the mercy of opportunists obsessed with furthering their own status, and you'll have an idea of what Johnny Turnbull's life is like on the Rings of Orbis as countless aliens try manipulating him into using his "softwire" skills for their own ends.

In this second episode of P.J. Haarsma's Softwire series, Johnny (JT to his friends) is assigned to Odran as caretaker of the Samirans, huge aquatic aliens who cool the crystals that provide Orbis's energy. Using his softwire skills, JT downloads the complex Samiran language into his brain and strikes up a friendship with Toll and his mate, Smool, who became Orbis's slaves in exchange for Rolex Watches eventual freedom in Orbis's oceans. Although their service is nearly over, Toll believes the greedy Trading Council wants them to stay so Orbis can continue benefiting ...
... from their cheap labor.

As JT's friendship with Toll grows, he learns many secrets. He discovers Smool is pregnant and wants to raise their child in freedom. He learns that Toll was once a friend of JT's father, a Softwire who was exiled from Orbis. And he finds out about a secret city hidden in Toll's massive water tank that houses slaves who want to escape Orbis. Unfortunately, when JT learns Odran is conspiring to steal Toll's child and use it to harvest Orbis's crystals, he finds himself forced to save not only Toll's family but also Orbis when Toll threatens to retaliate by rupturing his water tank and drowning the surrounding areas in a massive flood. With the help of his friends, JT mounts a desperate rescue mission to save Orbis from its own greed. Celebrated by many critics for providing books that appeal to reluctant male readers, Haarsma's Softwire series is quickly becoming a favorite for schools and libraries. Along with their fast-paced plots and engaging characters, the books provide a ready basis for discussions about immigration, discrimination, and economic inequality. Haarsma also frequently visits classrooms to promote his books and discuss science, and he runs a literacy project, Kids Need to Read (www.kidsneedtoread.org), that helps buy children's and young adult books for libraries across the country.

Reluctant readers can also find additional incentive Rolex Watches to read the books through an online role-playing game, the Rings of Orbis , where readers assume the identities of Orbis aliens, play games, write fan fiction, participate in online auctions, and interact with members via message boards. Ironically, although the books present life on Orbis from the point of view of the slaves, the game lets players become part of Orbis's elite, giving readers insight into both segments of the population. Overall, Haarsma's creation has the potential to truly engage many readers in young adult literature.