Mission Possible

By Matt Steiner

Tommy Ketchum, also known as TK, is used to his little brother Travis tagging along with him and his ganga band of friends who love to hang out, play sports, and seek out mischief. But when Ol Blue, one of the boys lucky baseball bat, is snatched by Bart Woodsthe Menace of Mt. Vernonand his sidekick Carlos, the Gang embarks on a covert mission to get it back.

With the toughest baseball game of the season looming in the distance, Josh McKenzie is desperate to help his team pull off the upsetbut he cannot do it without Ol Blue. As revenge eats at the collective mind of the Gang, they must first figure out a way to get through old man Weavers yardthe only thing that stands between the Gang and the Menaces family compound. But creepy old man Weaver is not about to make the boys job easyand neither is his savage dog.

In this first adventure of the TNT gang, all the boys soon learn that even the best laid plans can go awryespecially when tangling with the town menace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462000296

Matt Steiner

Matt Steiner draws his inspiration both from his own adventurous childhood and from his son, Luke. Matt is a journalist who currently lives outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mission Possible is the first book in the TNT adventure series.

Book preview

For my mother, Dorothy Steiner.

She loves books and children

more than anyone I’ve ever known.

Contents

1. The Challenge

2. The Mission

3. Plan B

4. The Next Master Plan

5. Sweet Music

6. The Meeting

7. Game Day

8. Moment of Truth

The Challenge

Hey. Wait up!

Those familiar words always found their way out of the mouth of Travis Ketchum, younger brother and perpetual nuisance to Tommy Ketchum or, as his buddies liked to call him, TK.

Come on, guys. Let’s go, Tommy kept encouraging the usual gang in an attempt to lose Travis.

Unfortunately, his little brother was also his responsibility. Mom would always force Tommy to just take him along whenever TK had an adventure planned.

TK fumed as he walked along Clemens Drive today, remembering how the little eight-year-old worm managed to wiggle his way into his older brother’s plans for the day.

Tommy, what do you have going on today? Mom had asked from the living room as TK munched on his breakfast, a toaster pastry and a banana. I’ve got some errands to run.

I don’t know, Mom. I’ll probably just head over to Josh’s house and play some catch or something, he said, washing a mouthful of blueberry goodness down with a gulp of orange juice.

He wiped some icing from his lips and paused for a second, knowing what would come next.

Well, I was hoping that Travis could tag along with you for a few hours while I go get mine and Sarah’s hair done, she said as she helped TK’s four-year-old sister with her shoes before giving her a kiss and gathering her things to go. Oh, and get him some cereal and a banana before you guys head out.

Aww, c’mon, Mom, Tommy replied. I was hoping for a Travis-free day.

His younger brother bolted around the corner from the living room, excitement on his face.

What are we gonna do today? Travis teased his brother as TK angrily grabbed a bowl from the cabinet and began to pour his brother’s breakfast.

You better not get in the way! TK said, grabbing a wadded up paper towel and pegging Travis in the head.

Before the boys could finish their meal, Mom streaked by, snatching her purse off the table and nudging Sarah along. She headed toward the door. We’ll be back early afternoon, Tommy. Be sure you guys eat some lunch.

Yeah, Mom, I know.

Sarah said good-bye in her usual manner, sticking her tongue out at her brothers and making sure she was out of arm’s reach.

TK had planned on heading to Josh McKenzie’s house this morning, but a boring game of catch was not on the agenda. He and his buddy, who was a natural athlete despite his round form—and who boasted the ability to down three big bacon burgers, a large chili cheese fries, and a monstrous piece of chocolate cream pie in just one sitting—had other things on their minds. Josh, a hero to most boys in the seventh grade at Hoover Middle School because of these two skills, could only think of one thing and he wouldn’t have fun until it was resolved.

Ever since Sunday afternoon, Josh had been whining about his lucky baseball bat, Ol’ Blue, as TK had named his friend’s Louisville Slugger. It had been handed down to Josh by his older brother, who had gotten it from their oldest brother. Today, a covert mission to get it back was on the agenda.

TK and his friends, also known as The Gang, had stopped by Fillmore Park last Sunday for a dip in the river after a little baseball practice. Bart Woods took advantage and snatched the bat in hopes of keeping Josh from crushing the ball in the big game on Saturday.

The boys’ baseball team, the Wolves, had their toughest challenge of the season in just three days. The first place, and much hated, Marauders, Bart’s team,