The Apollo Academy (30 page)

AURORA

T
he 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, welcome 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.