“Oh, I know who you are,” Skye smiled back. “Everyone knows Slade Donovan. You’re the second highest ranking cadet at the Academy.”
His face soured. “Not second for long. Cadet North has been distracted lately.” His dark eyes darted to me and then back. “He’s slipping.”
Skye shook her head and laughed, the sound like a tinkling bell. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Cadet.” She turned to me. “I have to leave for lunch soon. Is now a good time?”
I hesitated, grateful to have an ally in the pilot department but silently wishing she returned Slade’s obvious interest.
“Sure.” I turned and walked over to Gideon, Skye following on my heels. I was about to touch his elbow to get his attention, but he turned before I reached him.
“Gideon, this is Skye Elliot. She’s a pilot in the Freedom Fighter program,” I said.
“And an amazing Guardian,” Isabel added with a smile.
Skye blushed and looked at the ground, but clearly loved the praise.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Gideon said with a nod.
She glanced up at him through a fringe of dark lashes, her expression half-shy, half-sultry.
I dug my fingernails into my palms.
“It’s such an honor to meet you, Cadet North. If you’d indulge me sometime, I’d love to hear about how you’ve become so successful in your training.”
Rusty looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I smirked, though it probably looked more like a grimace. I wanted to hit something. Why had I agreed to introduce them? The little vixen was practically propositioning him right here in front of everyone.
Gideon ran a hand along the back of his neck. “Sure . . . maybe sometime when training isn’t so busy—”
“Why don’t you guys join us for lunch?” Isabel cut in, giving Skye a furtive wink.
Skye beamed. “That’s a fabulous idea! Your Recruit was saying how she’d like to hear more about the Flight Deck, so it’s a win-win.”
Gideon turned to me and folded his arms. “Did she? How surprising.”
I bit my lip and smiled. “See? A win-win.”
“Well, I for one, am starved,” Rusty said. “Where do we have to go to find food around here?”
“The Commons. I’ll show the way,” Slade said.
Skye glued herself to Gideon’s side as we followed Slade down the stone steps. I distracted myself from the sick feeling in my stomach by looking around at the Freedom Fighter classes as we passed back along the corridor.
“It’s pretty crazy, isn’t it?” Rusty asked, coming up behind me.
I nodded. “I swear, I’m going to wake up any minute and find out this whole thing has been a dream.”
“Well if it is, I’m glad we’re in it together.”
I glanced at him and he smiled. There was something so comfortable about Rusty; like having a piece of home with me. I hadn’t known him for more than a few hours, but he understood me. I smiled back.
“Me too.”
CHAPTER
Sixteen
Once we were back out on the Terrace, I blinked several times as my screens adjusted to the sunlight. Slade stayed ahead of the group, his bleached white hair like a beacon for us to follow. Skye and Gideon kept pace behind him. Skye was chatting nonstop. Gideon would glance over his shoulder at me every few seconds, but I looked away to pretend I wasn’t jealous. Rusty and I walked together, but he slowed his pace until the rest of the group behind us could catch up.
“Isabel, tell me about Costa Rica. I’ve always wanted to visit Central America,” he said.
She smiled. “You would love it. It is a beautiful country. Nothing compared to this,” she gestured up to the sky and laughed, “but I’m afraid nothing will ever compare to this once we return home.”
We all nodded. It was strange to think of going back.
“Do you think we’ll remember, or do you think they’ll do something to wipe the memory away?” another girl asked.
“I don’t think they’d do that,” I said. “What would be the point in coming here to learn if everything was erased once we left?”
“Do you think we’re really here to learn?” Rusty asked, lowering his voice. “Or do you think that’s just the story we’re given?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Has anything happened to make you suspicious?”
He slowed his pace even more to put distance between the Guardians ahead of our small group. “Nothing concrete. I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I’m just trained to seek out answers; to look at all sides of an issue.”
“You are a student of law, yes?” Isabel asked.
Rusty nodded. “I was on track for Harvard Law when they Recruited me.”
I raised my eyebrows. Grace was right to pick him as team captain. And what did I have going for me in comparison? I liked to read.
“Do you really think they’re lying about why we’re here?” Isabel’s friend asked, her face paling.
I shook my head. “Lieutenant Hardcastle is a good person, and I trust her. The only thing we need to worry about is doing our best during training.” I hurried to change the topic. “Why are you all grouped together? Do you know what kind of training you’ll be getting?”
“Botany,” Isabel said, her brown eyes lighting with excitement. “I cannot wait to get started! Our first class is tomorrow.”
“That’s awesome.” I smiled and we continued the conversation as we made our way to the Commons. As we stepped off the elevator onto the main level, I tugged Rusty’s sleeve to keep him behind the group.
He turned, his hazel eyes warm.
“I need to talk to you,” I whispered.
He nodded and leaned closer as we walked.
“I think we should be careful about what we say,” I said.
He tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
“Call me crazy, but I don’t think they want the Team Captains planting doubts in everyone’s minds about why we’re here. You know, ‘A house divided against itself,’ and all that?”
He straightened and nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
We walked a few more steps. Gideon looked over his shoulder and frowned when he saw Rusty and me lagging behind.
“But it doesn’t hurt to keep your eyes open . . . just in case,” I added quietly.
He dipped his head once. “Agreed.”
We walked through the Atrium and past the waterfall to the spacious courtyard behind it. Recruits and Guardians filled hundreds of tables in the midst of flowering trees and stone fountains.
Slade waited for the group to gather around him. Skye hadn’t stopped smiling since being introduced to Gideon. She looked comfortable next to him. My teeth grated against each other, hating that they made such a striking couple. His dark hair and tall, athletic build contrasted well with her blond hair and slender figure.
I lost my appetite.
“This is the Commons,” Slade said. “You’ll meet here for lunch each day. Just scan your cuff at the food counter and you’re good to go. We have forty-five minutes and then we’ll regroup.” He strode off without another word.
Gideon shook his head. “Come on, guys. This way to the food counter.”
We followed like a herd of sheep, watching as he showed us where to scan our cuffs and how to select food from the holographic monitors. I picked a dish Skye recommended and then followed everyone to a half-empty table.
“If I pledge to be a slave, can I stay on Lior?” Isabel said. “I don’t know how I’ll ever part with this food.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand after taking a bite.
I laughed. “I think you’re onto something—indentured servitude might be worth it if it means eating like this every day.”
Rusty turned to Gideon. “Has that ever happened? Has a Recruit stayed behind?”
“No.” Gideon’s eyes skittered across mine before focusing back on his food.
“Too bad,” I
sabel said. “What about coming back for a visit?”
“Once you go back, you won’t be allowed off-planet anymore,” Skye answered.
Isabel frowned. “Why not?”
“That’s just the way it is.” Skye shrugged. “If Earth were a first-level planet, it would be a different story. Because then your world would already be involved in inter-planetary travel. We do trade and vacationing with other planets of our class all the time.”
“That’s messed up,” Rusty said.
“Excuse me?” Skye’s light blue eyes narrowed in on him.
He lowered his utensil and met her gaze. “I just don’t think you realize how condescending that sounds. Who determines what ‘class’ a planet is anyway?”
“The Council,” I answered. Everyone turned to look at me and I shook my head. “It has to be. They seem to be in charge of pretty much everything in the galaxy.” I leaned forward, lowering my voice. “And if you ask me, that’s what’s messed up.”
Skye gasped and Gideon caught my eye.
Not here, Lark.
He gave me a warning look before changing the subject, asking the other Recruits about their backgrounds.
Rusty nudged me. “I thought we weren’t going to rock the boat?”
I shifted in my seat. “I couldn’t help it.”
“You and I have inquisitive minds. That makes it hard for us to accept things without question.”
I nodded and took another bite of food.
“Lark,” Skye smiled and covered her mouth for a moment. “Sorry, I mean, Captain Taylor—didn’t you want to ask me about piloting?”
I brightened. “Yes! I want to know anything and everything about flying an airship. I’ve never been inside one, and I’m dying to know what it’s like.”
She arched a brow. “You didn’t come by airship to Lior?”
“Wormhole,” Rusty said between bites of food.
Her eyes widened, but I waved it off. “We can talk about that later. For now, I want to hear what you do.”
Gideon was still talking to the others, but he must have been listening to us because I noticed his lip twitch.
Skye closed her mouth and quickly switched gears. “Absolutely—I could talk about it all day. And I don’t like to brag, but I was recently selected top pilot in my class, which is kind of a big deal because there are so many of us.” She glanced sideways at Gideon and then back to me. I did an inward eye roll.
“They’ll be presenting awards for the top students of Earth at your Commencement Ceremony and dance. Have you heard about the dance yet?” Another glance Gideon’s direction.
“Yes. I have.” I waved a dismissive hand. “But back to the ships—”
“What’s this about the dance?” Cypris materialized at our table.
Skye glanced over her shoulder and drew her lips into a sour smile. “Hello, Cypris.”
“Skye.” Cypris nodded at her before taking the seat on the opposite side of Gideon. “I came to check in and see how your little Recruit is doing,” she said, scooting next to him.
“Actually, she’s a Captain,” Skye corrected.
Gideon looked uncomfortable sandwiched between the two girls. I wiped my mouth with a napkin to hide my smile. He gave me a dark look and I choked back a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Rusty asked.
“Nothing.” I took a drink of water and avoided Gideon’s glare.
“Why don’t you tell her?” Gideon asked.
I turned to him, my eyes wide. “Tell her?”
“How you’re liking the Academy so far?” He gave me an impish smirk.
“Oh.” I relaxed and turned to Cypris. “It’s awesome, and I’m doing great. Thanks for checking in on me.” I blinked a few times and forced a smile.
“How nice.” She pursed her lips and turned back to Gideon. “I saw you on the Observation Deck. It’s a shame you have to miss three whole weeks of training. We had the most fascinating lab in Light Harnessing today.”
Skye snorted. “He could practically teach Light Harnessing. Are you forgetting he’s top of our class? It won’t hurt him a bit to miss a few weeks.”
Cypris bristled. “Don’t you have an airship to fly?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Skye stood, taking her empty food tray. “It was great to meet you, Captain Taylor, Cadet North.” Her eyes lingered on Gideon for a moment before she turned to Isabel. “Come on, I’ll take you to the Conservatory.”
Isabel smiled at us. “I hope we’ll see each other again soon.”
“Good luck, Isabel,” Rusty said.
I grabbed my tray and stood. “I’ll walk you guys to the door.”
Isabel tilted her head, but Skye wore a knowing smile. Once we were out of earshot, I touched her elbow. “So, you’ll speak to your superior?”
She nodded. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks.” I grinned and she winked before she and Isabel exited back toward the Atrium. I turned and saw Gideon watching me. I took my tray to the receptacle before returning to the table.
“You and Skye Elliot certainly seem chummy,” Cypris said.
“She’s nice.” I gave her a pointed look before turning to Gideon and running my hands over my arms. “What’s next on the agenda, Sergeant?”
Gideon shook his head and looked at his cuff. “You and Captain Harris are scheduled to get your equipment. We’ll spend the rest of the day outlining your tasks, and then you’ll begin actual training tomorrow.”
“How lucky for you that you’ve been teamed with such a handsome partner, Lark,” Cypris said, giving Rusty a coy smile. “I’ve been hearing what a nice-looking couple the Team Captains from Earth make. It’s like you two were meant to be together—don’t you think so, Gid?”
I pressed my lips together to keep from saying the nasty thoughts in my head. Rusty gave an uncomfortable chuckle beside me.
Gideon’s eyes turned to flint. “Lieutenant Hardcastle seems to think so.” He looked away and stood. “Slade’s waiting. We’d better get going.”
“See you after school.” Cypris waved, her smile turning into a smirk as she met my eyes.
I gave her a thin smile in return. “Can’t wait.”
CHAPTER
Seventeen
We entered a giant supply room where a short line of Recruits waited for their equipment. I recognized Nadia as one of the Freedom Fighters helping behind the counter. She smiled and motioned to us. Slade, Gideon, Rusty and I met her at the free end of the counter.
“Hey, guys.” Nadia flashed a bright smile, her eyes on Slade.
He leaned on the counter. “Hey there, gorgeous. What are you doing in Supplies?”
“A group of us from Tech are volunteering today. It’s always fun to see our gadgets getting handed out.” She turned to me. “How’s your first day going so far, Lark?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Overwhelming. But good, for the most part.”
She smiled. “Well, it’s about to get better. Let me see your cuff.”
I held my wrist out and she scanned my cuff before looking at the reader. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
I turned to Gideon and he winked. When I turned back around, Nadia was at the counter again.
I started. “Whoa. That was fast.”
She giggled. “I’ve been waiting for you all day, so I had your stuff handy.” She set a gold box on the counter. It was the size of a glasses case and had the Freedom Fighter symbol carved on the top. “This is for you.”
I glanced at her curiously before opening the lid. Inside was a pair of lenses.
She clapped her hands. “It’s a camera! You put them over the regular lenses of your light screens and activate them with your cuff.”
“Wow.” I shook my head, afraid to touch them. “That’s incredible.”
“Thanks.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Did you make these?”
She nodded, grinning from e
ar to ear. “Want to try them out?”
“Yes, please.”
She laughed and lifted the lenses from the box, carefully attaching them to my screens. I blinked a few times. “Are they on? I can’t tell a difference.”
“That’s the idea. You leave them on all the time, and when you want to record, you press this button on your cuff.” She reached over and pressed a slim white button on the side of my cuff. A pale yellow hue covered my field of vision.
“Do you see that?” Nadia asked.
I nodded. “Does that mean it’s recording?”
“Yes. And the neat thing is, only you can see it. No one else will know whether you’re recording or not, so they won’t act weird about it.”
I turned around with a mischievous smile. “You’d better watch your backs, boys, because you never know what’s being recorded.”
Rusty laughed but Gideon’s eyes were tight.
Slade yawned. “Is she done? What about Harris?”
Nadia held up a finger. “I have two more things for Lark. First,” she drew out a leather-bound notebook and set it on the counter. “A journal for recording your observations in class. And this little quill to go with it.”
I grinned and picked up the journal, hugging it to my chest. “I love it!”
She beamed as I took the quill and ran its soft feather against my cheek. “I have to admit I’m a little surprised to be using ink and paper—what with the kind of tech you guys have.”
Nadia shrugged. “I know it seems archaic, but the lieutenant was very specific with her instructions. She said it was important that you physically write things down.”
“Okay.” I preferred pen and paper to typing anyway.
“Perfect.” She smiled. “All that’s left is your badge.”
I tilted my head. “My what?”
She slid a glass nametag across the counter. It was a tiny screen with the words, ‘Team Captain,’ lit up in bright, shimmering font.
I made a face. “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s necessary.” I already hated the attention we got as Team Captains. No need to advertise it in flashing lights. I picked up the badge and handed it to Rusty. “Here. This would look great on you.”
Silence of Stars Page 14