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Grace ignored the barb. “What are you doing at the library?”

“Getting a few things for the trip north.”

“Trip north?”

“I had to pick up some of the journals for your mother,” he said.

“What are you talking about?” She felt like someone had shot a heavy rock into her gut.

“She didn’t tell you?” he asked.

Grace shook her head, terrified to hear what was coming next, but already having an idea.

“Your mother and I are going to the academy for a semester to work with the new equipment.” Sam walked down the stairs and patted her on the head, which infuriated her more.

“Aren’t you tired of playing the watchdog?” she said bitterly.

“Aren’t you tired of needing one?”

He walked off toward the village. Grace wanted to run after him and tackle him to the ground, but a sudden dizziness had taken over. An acidy rage churned in her throat. She tugged at her collar to get air. Her dream of going to the academy was turning out to be a nightmare. How was she supposed to find independence and forge her own path when her mother kept stepping in the way? She had worked so hard to get into the academy—she couldn’t let her mother ruin everything. She ran back to the cabin, ready to stand up to her mother, but her parents were in the middle of an argument.

“What’s going on?” asked Grace.

Ava quickly faked a smile and approached her daughter. “We’re so happy for you.” She gave Grace a hug.

Grace pried herself away. “When were you going to tell me? On the train?”

“I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t find the right time. And I didn’t want to distract you from tryouts.”

“You’re ruining everything for me!” Grace yelled.

“My going to the academy has nothing to do with you.”

“Can’t I have just one thing to myself without you hovering over me?”

“Grace . . .” Ava’s eyes filled with tears.

“I’m not sure I want to go. If I decline my acceptance, at least I’d have the village to myself,” Grace said.

That’s when Joseph walked over to Grace. “You sound like a child. This is a huge honor, and you’re being a spoiled brat.” He used a decibel reserved only for his soldiers.

Grace stepped back and lowered her head, embarrassed by her behavior. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, trying to hold back her tears.

“It’s time you realize your mother isn’t out to get you. She’s looking out for you.”

“Sometimes I just wanna look out for myself,” Grace cried.

“You’ll have plenty of time to do that. You’re our little girl, and I hate to break it to you, but you will be even when you’re old.”

“Even when I’m old?” Grace widened her eyes.

Joseph softened a little and reached around to hug his daughter. “Yes, even when you’re old.”

“For the record, I didn’t approach the academy. They came to me a few weeks ago. I was going, whether or not you got into the program. I knew you’d get in. What I didn’t foresee is your capabilities inside the mainframe. What you did during tryouts was groundbreaking. You were able to track down a footprint of Morray. That’s amazing for someone with little to no experience. Imagine what you could do with the proper training. In fact, I’d love for you to help out in the lab.”

Grace stared at her mother, shocked and confused. “You want
my
help?”

“I haven’t discussed it with anyone yet, so nothing’s set in stone. It’s just something to think about.”

“Search & Rescue will be pretty demanding.”

“Your studies are your first priority. But maybe you could visit the lab and help out from time to time? I’ll be working overtime, tracking down Morray.”

Grace admired her mother’s enthusiasm, but she didn’t want to conduct any additional mainframe searches. The one during tryouts was enough to last a lifetime. What did she know about the mainframe, let alone a digital reconnaissance mission to find Morray? She liked the idea of being helpful, but not at the expense of her goals. The idea was to spend
less
time with her mother—a lot less time. It would already be painful enough seeing her on campus.

“I don’t know. The mainframe is your thing.” Grace said.

“You have time to think about it. But you must keep this to yourself. Ms. Atwood isn’t entirely sure it was Morray’s footprints, and she doesn’t want to stir up the masses. I’ve been instructed to keep the information classified.”

Joseph spoke up, “But in the meantime, I’m putting together a special-ops team. Just in case your mother is right.”

Ava perked up. “Just in case? You know I’m right.”

“Either way, we’ll be prepared,” Joseph said.

There was something else Grace needed to solidify before they headed north. “So, if we’re gonna be on the same campus, I want to establish some boundaries.” She paused, making sure she had her mother’s full attention. “At the academy, I’m just another cadet in training. I don’t want any special attention or treatment from you. I need you to keep your distance and give me my space,” Grace said.

Ava nodded respectfully. “Sounds fair enough,” she said.

“You have to promise not to sic Sam on me.”

At that, Ava laughed. “I promise,” she said, reaching out to shake her daughter’s hand to seal their agreement.

Joseph pulled them in for a group hug. “I knew you’d work it out. I’m not happy about losing both of you for six months. Although, it will be a lot quieter around here.”

Grace went to her room to pack a bag. The academy would provide uniforms and whatever else she’d need for daily use. But she wanted to bring a few personal things to remind her of home. She packed a book about sword fighting her father had given her on her tenth birthday and a photograph of her parents holding her when she was a baby. She took down her sword from its place on the wall and set it next to her bag. She might not be assigned to combat training, but she’d never leave her sword behind.

7

THE NEXT MORNING the four cadets, along with Ava and Sam, took a shuttle to the main station in Santa Barbara, where they caught the eight a.m. train for the adventure north. They chatted excitedly about the academy program and living in a big city for the next six months. Even Blythe was making an effort to be sociable. But Grace felt a little resentful about losing combat to Marion, so she kept her distance from the group and sat by herself in the back.

As the train traveled north to Silicon Valley, Grace stared at the ocean, watching the waves sparkle across its glass surface and contemplating her future. Things would be different from this point forward—the academy would provide great opportunities and possibilities. A chance to do something important. She’d finally be able to make a name for herself instead of living off the reputation of her parents. Getting through Search & Rescue training would procure a substantial position in the military. If she were going to make her mark, this would be her ticket.

A few hours later, the train arrived in Silicon Valley. From there the group took a transporter to the academy, where they met Director Faraday in the lobby. Grace marveled over the size of the enormous structure—it seemed to reach the clouds and take up at least two city blocks. One could get lost in the labyrinth of hallways and various sectors.

Director Faraday was an older gentleman with silver hair and a matching beard that he liked to stroke a lot. He wore a pale blue lab coat, which matched the color of his eyes.

“Good morning, and welcome to the academy. I’m Director Faraday.” His voice echoed throughout the lobby. “We’re looking forward to the semester ahead. After you get settled, lunch will be served in the cafeteria and orientation will follow immediately after. If you have any questions about the academy, the campus, or anything related to Silicon Valley, everything you need to know will be found in your personal tablets. They will provide detailed information during your stay at the academy for the next six months. These devices will provide your schedules, GPS, communications, and entertainment—the last to be used in the evening hours, of course. Additionally, your rooms are set up on voice command for controlling the temperature, lighting, and ambience.”

He handed out the stack of thin, book-like devices to the cadets. “I trust you’ll figure out the technology—after all, you were selected into the academy. Good day.” He shuffled off into the shadows.

Grace activated her tablet. The screen lit up with maps, schedules, and lists of information. She pulled up her room information, and without waiting for the others she went to find the nearest transporter.

The transporter took her to the twenty-first floor and she entered her room. It took a few moments to realize this glorious space was all hers for the next six months. The décor was minimalist, with soft cream-colored tones. There was a large bed, a study station, and a lounger. The walk-in closet, which might have been the same size of her room back at home, was already stocked with uniforms. She had her own private bathroom. This place made her cabin in Ojai look like a dilapidated shack. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Silicon Valley and its vast web of intricate byways that reached out for miles. Silicon Valley was much larger than New Los Angeles. To give the place a small personal touch, she set her photograph and the book on sword fighting on the nightstand. The sword went on the top shelf in the closet for safekeeping. Though she already had a shower, she figured another one wouldn’t hurt.

After she washed away years of village grime and dirt, she changed into one of the pale blue jumpsuits made of thin, but durable, material. Then she made a running leap onto the fluffy bed and sank into the soft comforter and pillows.

“Dim lights,” she instructed the room control panel.

The windows shifted to black and a soft, ambient light spread throughout the room.

“Set alarm for 11:45 a.m.”

She rested her head, luxuriating in her new palace of comfort . . .

It seemed like only a few minutes had passed when a chiming came from her tablet, alerting her that lunch would begin in fifteen minutes. Grace jumped out of bed, put on a pair of sneakers, and headed down to the cafeteria.

Inside the cafeteria, hundreds of unfamiliar faces gathered at the lunch tables. The place was vast and sterile—very different from the Cantina back home. She looked around for Marion, hoping her friend would be forgiving about the cold shoulder. But there were too many people wandering around, looking wide-eyed and bewildered. As she scanned the room she spotted Lucas and did a quick about-face, praying he didn’t see her. She touched the spot on her forehead where the wound had scabbed over. Her heartbeat sped up as she sensed his presence moving in closer. There wasn’t enough room in her schedule for any distractions. She pretended to focus on the people ahead.

There was a soft tap on her shoulder that reverberated throughout her entire body. She casually turned around.

“Hi, Grace.” Lucas stood there smiling with his perfect teeth.

“Oh, hi.” She tried to play it cool, but her voice came out squeaky.

“Guess you did well in tryouts,” he said, extending his hand to congratulate her. “Glad you made it.”

Grace shook his hand, wishing her palms weren’t so clammy. She couldn’t understand why this Insider was throwing her off her game. She needed to snap out of it and fast. This was a learning place, not a place to meet a guy. She stiffed up and steadied herself. “Thank you, it’s an honor to be here,” she used her most professional tone.

“I guess the battle wound gave you some cred.” He was being playful, but she kept up her guard and just nodded. “Combat will be lucky to have you on board,” he said.

“Actually, I got Search and Rescue,” she said, grabbing a tray.

“S & R? That’s hardcore. You must be stoked.” Lucas studied her for a moment. “Right?” he asked.

“It’ll be a good challenge.” Grace grabbed a few protein shakes from the display case, wondering if that’s what they considered food at the academy.

“Hungry?” he asked.

Grace looked at her tray and felt embarrassed. “We have a big day ahead of us.” She faked a smile and turned to leave.

“Hey, maybe we can check out the city sometime?”

“I see my friend. I’ll catch up later.” She walked off to join Blythe at one of the tables. Not the person she was looking for, but better than talking to Lucas. She felt too weird and rubbery in his presence.

Grace sat down across from Blythe, not looking at her.

“Dang. Others gotta eat too,” Blythe said.

“Shut up,” she said.

“You might wanna keep the calorie intake to a minimum. Jumpsuits might get too tight.” Blythe’s smile looked more like death-wish glare.

“While we’re at the academy can you mind your own business?”

“You’re the one who sat down at my table. I know you’re trying to avoid that Insider.”

“Please, stay out of it.”

“Grace and what’s his name, swingin’ from a tree . . .”

“Are you serious?”

Blythe chugged down the rest of her protein shake. Grace glanced around the room, observing the other cadets. Most of them were Insiders from varying city centers throughout the country, but there were Outsiders interspersed. They were easy to spot—their scruffiness contrasted with the pristine Insiders. The academy wanted a mixture of backgrounds, but judging from the ratio, not too much variety. She spotted Marion sitting at a table of buffed-out cadets who were most likely in her training division. Ever the optimist, she didn’t waste time getting to know her peers. She had her hair pulled back, which gave her a more serious and less conspicuous appearance. Grace held up her hand to get Marion’s attention, but she was too busy chatting with the others.

“Aw, did your bestie sell you out for some higher-grade friends?” Blythe asked.

“You know, if we’re ever in a scenario where you need medical attention, you’re screwed.”

“I think we’re all screwed if you’re in charge of anything medical related.”

Grace rolled her eyes, pretending not to be bothered by the comment. But it deep down she knew Blythe was right. She got up to find orientation.

The assembly room was a large half-dome auditorium with stadium seating that faced a large screen. Grace took a seat in the back row and observed the other cadets as they entered the room. Their enthusiasm and chatter filled the place. She concentrated on the screen ahead, not wanting to interact with anyone.