The Apollo Academy
Page 27
Zane moved behind Aurora, causing Hailen to focus on him. She smiled, and it was pure evil. Aurora took a step back before she even realized it.
“Aurora, did you know that Zane is an unknown?”
Aurora heard Zane drop the ladybug he held, and she knew without looking that his face would be a blank mask. She didn’t need to see emotionless Zane’s face to know that Hailen was telling the truth. He wore that empty cover every time he needed to hide something. She had already gathered that Zane came from a troubled past, but now she knew just how troubled. So many things about him were beginning to make sense. His trust issues. His determination to avoid the spotlight. His obsession with food. The stains under his nails from doing everything he knew how to survive. These thoughts flashed across Aurora’s mind in seconds.
“Is that it?” Aurora looked at Zane when she spoke next. “Zane is a far better person than you will ever be, Hailen.”
If Aurora could’ve hidden her last name from everyone, she probably would have too. It didn’t matter where you came from, all that mattered was where you were going.
Aurora, Zane, and Sky were going to make a positive difference in the world.
Ms. Lovell cleared her throat. “Anyone want to explain what’s going on?”
Aurora kept her eye on Hailen as she quickly explained the techspiders found in her aircraft helmet and life-support system, how Hailen had gossiped about dating a guy named Rowan, and how there was a techspider hidden in her lower left drawer. “Hailen is a member of TerraUnited and for some reason tried to kill me during training,” Aurora summed up.
Zane handed Ms. Lovell the ladybug. “We recorded Hailen speaking to a male about her plans to hurt Aurora too.”
Hailen chose that moment to try and run, but Zane moved his foot, tripping Hailen before she could get anywhere.
Aurora walked around Hailen’s desk, pulling open the lower left drawer. She grabbed the techspider, its pointy legs digging into her palm as she squeezed it. She placed it in Ms. Lovell’s outstretched hand.
Ms. Lovell turned the spider over, examining it. Aurora had never seen Ms. Lovell’s brown eyes look so hard. She waved a security guard in the room. “Please remove this cadet—” Ms. Lovell paused. “I mean TerraRist—from my sight.”
The security guard grabbed Hailen by the arms, hauling her out of the room.
Hailen began screaming as the guard dragged her out of the room. “You haven’t seen anything yet! We’ll find a way back in!” Hailen’s voice echoed down the hall until Aurora no longer heard her frantic threats.
“Hopefully, the cops will get Hailen to confess everything and her accomplices as well.” Ms. Lovell scanned her no-nonsense tough eyes around the room. Her gaze stopped on Sky. “It looks like there are a few items we need to discuss before you leave for your mission tomorrow morning.” Ms. Lovell looked at her techiwatch. “Let’s go. Your shuttle leaves in five hours.” She glanced at Aurora. “Aurora, I’d like to speak with you as well. Please come to my office in a half hour.” Ms. Lovell’s face flushed. “I’m sure you’re father would like to hear about this as well.”
Aurora only nodded. She already knew she was going to be in trouble for keeping all of this from them both.
Ms. Lovell left the room, beckoning Sky behind her.
“I’d just like to say goodbye first.” Sky quickly looked at Aurora.
Aurora shook her head, not wanting a dramatic goodbye. She was too confused to deal with her personal boy troubles. Especially in front of an audience. “It’s okay, Sky. I’ll see you when you get back. Fly safe.”
As much as Aurora would have liked to completely forget Sky’s role in the whole mess, she couldn’t. She needed space. Literally.
Sky only nodded, turning to follow Ms. Lovell down the hall.
Aurora sat down on Hailen’s bed, kicking her high heels off. She was exhausted.
Kaylana came to stand beside her. “I’ll go with you to explain to Ms. Lovell.”
“Thanks,” Aurora whispered.
Zane gestured toward Akemi but spoke to Aurora. “We’ll go with you too.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll handle this from here.” Aurora stared down at her hands. “I guess I’ll see you after break then.”
“I’m just going to go say bye to Akemi.” Kaylana grabbed Akemi’s hand, pulling him out of the room and leaving Zane and Aurora alone.
“They’re kind of cute.” Aurora smiled, happy for them. “I’m sorry, Zane.” Aurora wasn’t sure what exactly she was apologizing for, but she felt like she needed to. Her feelings for Zane and Sky were all bundled up in one tangled mess that she wasn’t sure she could even unravel.
“Don’t be.” Zane pushed his hands through his hair. “Things are complicated.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but decided against it.
Aurora didn’t comment on the dance, his meeting with Dr. Stevenson, her make-out session with Sky, the drama that seemed to surround her life, or his unknown past.
“We’ll figure everything out. I’ll see you after break.” Zane bent down, briefly kissing the side of her check.
He turned, walking away.
She placed her hand to her check.
“Maybe one day we’ll trust each other,” Aurora whispered, but she wasn’t sure if he heard.
AURORA
The hovercar slowly pulled to a stop outside of Titon Technologies. The doors clicked as they unlocked, but Aurora didn’t budge. She was home.
Aurora craned her neck back, trying to take in the massive skyscraper that blocked sunlight for several blocks. No, this wasn’t her home anymore.
Authorized personnel strode in and out of the building, even as a group of reporters blocked the entrance. Aurora could’ve pulled into the lower garage level to avoid them, but she had made a promise to her father and herself that she intended to keep.
Aurora watched them through her tinted window, caught off guard that most were wearing alternate-reality tech. She had gotten used to seeing everyone’s eyes at the Academy.
“You okay?” Kaylana asked, pulling her from her trance.
“Yes.” Aurora fidgeted with her skirt. “Thanks for always being there for me.”
“That’s what best friends are for.” Kaylana smiled.
Aurora didn’t know what she’d do without Kaylana. She had not only faced a pissed-off Ms. Lovell with her the night before, but her father as well.
“So now you have to go face all of that?” Kaylana pointed to the crowd of reporters.
“Yeah, it’s apparently the price of my freedom.” Her father had insisted that if she planned to stay at the Academy, she would have to face the consequences of her actions. Apparently that meant the media storm she was caught up in. And Aurora was finally okay with that. It was what being an adult was all about.
“You ready?”
“Yeah.” Aurora pushed the door open and stepped out.
They went to grab their luggage from the open trunk, but before Aurora pulled her suitcase out, an AI helper was there to carry it inside. She thanked it as it disappeared with her bag.
Kaylana laughed. “You just thanked that bot.”
“Yeah, that’s just good manners.” She shrugged, pointing to Kaylana’s bag. “Do you want me to have one take that to your place?”
“Nah, it’s just a block. Tell your dad to send my dad home soon though.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Aurora laughed, knowing that would be difficult.
“All right, babe. I’ll see you.” Kaylana pulled Aurora into a hug.
“I better go face this.” Aurora pointed to the crowd camped outside.
“You’ll be fine.” Kaylana squeezed her shoulder before turning, pulling her luggage behind her.
Aurora, with nothing to keep her hands occupied, twisted them together as she walked to the building’s main entrance. She was halfway through the gathered reporters before they recognized her.
“Aurora!”
“Aurora, welco
me home.”
They swarmed around her, but Aurora fought the urge to flee. She had been stared at and talked about for the past five months. She could do this.
“Aurora, how do you feel about the arrest of fellow cadet Hailen Odette?” The newsman looked briefly down at his tablet, not giving Aurora the chance to answer his question as he continued. “She’s been charged with possession of an illegal weapon and conspiracy with the intent to harm, referring to the Apollo Academy and one of its students. Are you that student?”
Aurora cleared her throat. “I’m afraid that’s not something I can comment on.”
Veronica Harley pushed her way in front, and Aurora stepped closer to the door, ready to make a quick exit.
“What do you think of the latest reports coming from Rowan Dagan and Frontier Solutions?”
Recorders that broadcast live feeds to the Grid were shoved in her face, but Aurora remained silent. She had no idea what this woman was talking about.
Seeing her confusion, Veronica took the opportunity to educate her. “This morning Rowan Dagan…” She gave Aurora a patronizing look. “The CFO of Frontier Solutions held a press conference. I’ll summarize it for you.” She held up her finger, looking down at her tablet. “Rowan Dagan has admitted that it was his father, Henry Dagan, who is responsible for the company’s financial trouble. Rowan went on to explain that his father was illegally siphoning funds away from the company to keep the media from discovering his secret and illegitimate heir, Skyller Dagan. The Academy’s star astronaut.”
Veronica Harley smiled, and Aurora wanted to punch it right off her face. Luckily, this wasn’t the news Veronica had wanted it to be. Aurora’s face remained impassive, even as her heart beat wildly. She was well aware that everyone around her seemed to be keeping secrets.
“I’m afraid that’s not a question.” Aurora stepped toward the door, hiding her smile. Sky would be proud.
“How do you feel about Rowan’s latest declaration?” Veronica yelled. Aurora turned to see Veronica batting her eyelashes.
“I guess I haven’t heard about that either.” Aurora shrugged.
“Rowan Dagan has condemned Titon Technologies for its financial role with the Apollo Academy and the Apollo Alliance. He stated that he agreed with the beliefs of TerraUnited, even if their methods were misguided. Rowan has also denounced his half brother’s role at the Academy. So what do you think about this?”
Aurora tilted her head to the side. It meant that Rowan Dagan was finally showing his hand. Of course she couldn’t say any of that. Not yet anyway. “I guess that means Frontier Solutions and Titon Technologies will always be enemies. The Apollo Alliance and The Academy are the only ones trying to change our fate.” Impulsively, Aurora grabbed the Titon Technologies alternate-reality glasses that covered Veronica’s eyes. “Maybe you should take these off and have a look around.”
Aurora spun on her heel, walking through the doors that automatically opened for her. She had probably just made herself an even bigger target, but she knew the Academy was the world’s only hope.
No one would keep her from The Apollo Academy.
Not Rowan Dagan, TerraUnited, or even her father.
Cool air greeted her.
For now she was safe and living her life on her own terms.
Mom, thank you for passing down your voracious appetite for reading and for never turning down an opportunity to buy me more books.
Dad, thank you for embracing my dreams, no matter how large. You changed my life the day you took me for my first flight lesson.
Brian, my dear husband, there aren’t enough thank you’s in the world to cover it. Thank you for reading my first horrible draft, for listening to my inane publishing babble, for handing me a drink when I needed one, for not complaining about take-out suppers, and for helping me in every way imaginable. This book would not exist without you. You are my inspiration. My heart. My biggest supporter. My best friend. The love of my life.
To Brittany Howard for picking me out of the slush and giving me a chance! Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. For dealing with my crazy emails and panic attacks, for not only allowing me to make the hard and scary decisions but encouraging me to make the right ones for me.
Cheers to the editors that helped me make this book even stronger, Sally Bradley and Lindsey Alexander.
Ashley and Megan, my first readers. I’m still embarrassed you read that first draft, but thank you for loving me enough to read it anyway.
My wonderful critique partners. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of supporters, of friends. Melissa, Deanna, Dannie, Daisy, Molly—I’m keeping you forever!
To everyone who helped promote with cover reveals, reviews, and blog tours. A special thank you to my Launch Specialists, for helping me spread the word and embracing my geeky marketing tactics.
LeighAnn, thank you for being my Indie ObiWan.
To Cora Carmack and Kathleen Tucker, who were kind enough to give me the most amazing quotes to proudly display on the cover.
Cliff Nielsen, thank you for giving me the best cover art a writer could ever ask for.
I’d like to thank RedBull and Awolnation for keeping me motivated.
To Nanny Liz and Nanny Jenny for keeping the kiddo occupied so I could write.
And to you, the readers, thank you! I hope you enjoyed reading The Apollo Academy as much as I did writing it.
Kimberly P. Chase writes young adult and new adult science fiction. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which basically means she’s kind of a geek and loves flying airplanes. Naturally, her books tend to include aviation, hot flight instructors, aviator glasses, and—let’s not forget—kissing! When Kimberly’s not writing or reading, she’s hanging out with her husband, four-year-old son, and two dogs.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Kimberly P. Chase, The Apollo Academy