Airborne Read online

  Airborne

  Kimberly P. Chase

  www.escapepublishing.com.au

  Airborne

  Kimberly P. Chase

  In the acclaimed, bestselling The Apollo Academy, Aurora fought for her life and her chance at love. Now she’s ready to conquer the final frontier… space.

  She just wants to focus on her studies…

  It’s a new semester of training at the Apollo Academy and Aurora Titon is ready to put the previous attempts on her life behind her. With Hailen Odette in police custody, Aurora is ready to focus on her dream of becoming an astronaut with the experience of a lifetime: a trip to space.

  But danger isn’t finished with the class eight cadets yet…

  A deadly virus is released on Aviary, the space station where Aurora and her classmates are training, spreading quickly and without pattern. Mission Control won’t help them, and Aurora and the remaining cadets are trapped until they solve the mystery and find a way to contain the disease or die in the process. Their only hope is Sky, Aurora’s ex-instructor and late night confidante, who will need to betray everything he believes in and everything he’s trained for to save their lives.

  With time ticking away and bodies piling up, Aurora faces the fight of her life, for both herself and the men that she can’t choose between…

  About the Author

  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 probably hanging out with her family or eating copious amounts of chocolate chip cookies.

  Acknowledgements

  This book would not be here if it weren’t for the encouraging words and unwavering support from three of the most amazing girls I know in the writing community. Dannie, Molly, and Melissa—there are not enough thank yous to cover it!

  Thank you to Kate Cuthbert, Brooke Moody, Sam Joice, and everyone behind the scenes at Escape Publishing that made this all possible.

  To my husband, thank you for always picking me back up when I fall down.

  And thank you, thank you, to the nova readers who’ve been with me from the very beginning and embraced The Apollo Academy series.

  Year 2164

  When a deadly virus outbreaks on Earth, its ability to spread is limited by gravity. Release that same disease on a human’s weakened immune system in space and the virus thrives. Free to float anywhere in the oxygen rich environment, the disease spreads indiscriminately. Targeting anyone at any time.

  Contents

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1: Aurora

  Chapter 2: Zane

  Chapter 3: Sky

  Chapter 4: Zane

  Chapter 5: Aurora

  Chapter 6: Zane

  Chapter 7: Aurora

  Chapter 8: Zane

  Chapter 9: Aurora

  Chapter 10: Sky

  Chapter 11: Aurora

  Chapter 12: Zane

  Chapter 13: Aurora

  Chapter 14: Zane

  Chapter 15: Sky

  Chapter 16: Aurora

  Chapter 17: Zane

  Chapter 18: Aurora

  Chapter 19: Zane

  Chapter 20: Aurora

  Chapter 21: Aurora

  Chapter 22: Zane

  Chapter 23: Aurora

  Chapter 24: Zane

  Chapter 25: Aurora

  Chapter 26: Zane

  Chapter 27: Aurora

  Chapter 28: Aurora

  Chapter 29: Zane

  Chapter 30: Aurora

  Chapter 31: Sky

  Chapter 32: Aurora

  Chapter 33: Zane

  Chapter 34: Aurora

  Chapter 35: Zane

  Chapter 36: Aurora

  Chapter 37: Aurora

  Chapter 38: Zane

  Chapter 39: Aurora

  Chapter 40: Aurora

  Chapter 41: Zane

  Chapter 42: Aurora

  Chapter 43: Sky

  Chapter 44: Zane

  Chapter 45: Zane

  Chapter 46: Aurora

  Chapter 47: Zane

  Chapter 48: Sky

  Chapter 49: Aurora

  Chapter 50: Aurora

  Chapter 51: Zane

  Chapter 52: Aurora

  Chapter 53: Aurora

  Chapter 54: Zane

  Chapter 55: Aurora

  Chapter 56: Zane

  Chapter 57: Sky

  Chapter 58: Aurora

  Chapter 59: Aurora

  Chapter 60: Sky

  Chapter 61: Aurora

  Chapter 62: Zane

  Bestselling Titles by Escape Publishing…

  Chapter 1

  Aurora

  The media sucked. Aurora had known this ugly little fact for a while now, but somehow it kept smacking her in the face, surprising her in ways she’d never thought possible. Were they really still covering this story?

  Sky’s beautifully sculpted face floated on the living room wall like some sort of ghost haunting her. Veronica Harley, a news reporter she despised, blathered on in an annoying voice that echoed throughout the empty room. Aurora paid no attention to her words. She’d heard them repeatedly for the past four weeks. Same damn story every time. The Apollo Academy’s star astronaut is the son of Henry Dagan. Blah. Blah. Blah.

  Even though she’d seen Sky’s image over a hundred times on the digital display, it still somehow managed to make her heart throb. The beating, bruising ache a constant reminder of her last harsh words to him. Just because she’d been confused of her feelings for him didn’t mean she should’ve told him to just go like that—without saying goodbye—without telling him she understood what it was like to have a powerful father and to wish no one knew.

  In the picture, Sky’s blond hair was carefully spiked and his clear blue eyes were hard, like they always were. Aurora tried to keep her gaze from traveling the length of his lips, but they seemed to have a mind of their own, reminding her of what it felt like to be wanted.

  Aurora shook her head. She needed to get a grip. She was back at Titon Technologies on break from school. Not in the back seat of the limousine where they’d had their first kiss. Besides, Sky was two hundred and thirty nine thousand miles away from her on the moon.

  ‘Can you believe he’s been right under our noses this entire time?’ Her dad’s booming voice crashed into the room.

  ‘I didn’t know you were still here,’ Aurora said, trying to keep her voice light. She padded around the cleaner-bot sweeping the floor and tentatively moved closer to her dad who stood on the other side of the couch. Ever since Aurora had returned from the Academy, Collin Titon had been around more often than usual.

  Aurora wished she could say she liked it.

  Waving at the air in front of him, he continued his line of questioning.

  Questions she’d answered a million times in the past two weeks.

  Like everyone else in the world, the Dagan debacle still held her father’s attention. It was like the attacks against her life had never happened. Everyone but Aurora seemed to have forgotten Hailen Odette. Collin Titon and the media only saw one person—Skyller Dagan.

  ‘Well?’ he persisted.

  Aurora hoped if she waited long enough to answer, he’d eventually forget she was in the room. When he continued to stare, she sighed before answering. ‘No, Dad. We’ve talked about this a million times. I didn’t know Sky was Skyller Dagan.’ And even if she had, she wouldn’t have told him anyway. Though that thought was better left unsaid.<
br />
  ‘And Ms Lovell won’t come clean about it. She had to have known. No one can keep a secret that big without help.’

  When he began pacing the room, Aurora knew they were in for another one of their talks.

  She rubbed her head, not wanting to have this discussion again.

  ‘I’m just not sure you should be going back to the Academy tomorrow. What if it’s still not safe?’

  Aurora loved him for his concern, but how many times could they argue about this?

  ‘Dad, I’m going back.’ She forced herself to take a deep breath before continuing in a calm tone. ‘I’m eighteen. This is my decision. I want to do this.’ He used to believe in the Academy just as much as she did. ‘You know the Academy needs me.’

  Her father’s face seemed torn as he struggled between keeping her safe and letting her live her dream. ‘Just because I’ve invested in the Academy doesn’t mean you have to.’

  ‘I know,’ she said gently. ‘I believe in the Academy and I know in your heart you do too.’ She didn’t want this to end in another pointless argument. ‘Let’s talk about something else. Don’t you want to talk about the latest Titon project or something?’

  Collin Titon’s brown eyes finally focused on hers. ‘Really?’ His lips twitched into a small smile.

  Aurora nodded, trying to hide a smile of her own. ‘Yeah, hit me. Any new and improved snakebots?’

  Her father’s deep chuckle made Aurora take back her earlier thoughts of not enjoying his company.

  ‘I guess I’ve been a little preoccupied, huh?’

  Aurora maneuvered onto the couch and crossed her legs. A normal conversation would be good for them. ‘A little bit. Not that I’m complaining, but you usually don’t spend so much time here.’

  Her dad rubbed his hands through his salt and pepper colored hair. ‘I just can’t believe you’ve been training with a Dagan. Are you sure he wasn’t the one behind the attacks?’

  So he hasn’t forgotten about Hailen, Aurora thought. ‘As crazy as this sounds, I trust Sky.’ Her dad’s eyebrows rose at that statement, but she pushed on, ignoring his obvious disbelief. ‘Hailen’s been arrested, so I should be safe enough at the Academy. I’m pretty confident it was Sky’s half-brother, Rowan, helping Hailen anyway. And I’m betting he’s too smart to try anything else so soon.’

  Her dad didn’t look convinced. ‘Which is exactly why I’m having him followed,’ he said with finality.

  ‘You’re what?’

  ‘Having him followed.’

  Aurora swallowed, slowly admitting to herself that this wasn’t a bad idea. Knowing what Rowan was doing with his time would be a good thing.

  ‘Don’t worry. I’ll inform you if I find anything of interest.’

  ‘All right.’ She paused. Crap. How had they gotten back to this? Before he could say anything more on the subject, Aurora lifted her right arm in the air and flexed her bicep, wanting to lighten the mood. ‘Don’t you worry about me, I’m tough!’

  Collin Titon’s eyes crinkled as his mouth dramatically dropped open in mock shock.

  Aurora rolled her eyes and glanced at her arm. It was lean and fit, but she could definitely see an improved bump of muscle on top. Well, she was impressed anyway.

  Not only had she been working out like crazy, she’d spent almost every hour of her break in some sort of training, determined to be ready for anything.

  Her teasing worked because they spent the next hour talking about the company and the nova things he’d been creating. It seemed to remind him of where his heart lay because every time he mentioned a new product, his face would light up. As soon as their conversation winded down, he jumped up as if remembering he had a ton of work to do.

  ‘I’m going to take a quick shower and head down to the lab.’

  Aurora smiled. That was more like Collin Titon.

  ***

  After donning the full body simulator suit, Aurora slid the holographic lenses over her face and initiated the Fight for Life program. There were no rules. Aurora’s only goal was not to crash and die. The computer would throw any and every emergency at her and she’d have to somehow cope.

  A second later, Aurora stood on the ramp of an airport surrounded by a multitude of aircraft. The virtual hangar was dark and dim as she thought about what she wanted to fly. Something to keep her mind occupied for sure.

  The spacecraft lit neon green when she made her selection.

  As she walked down the long entryway to the cockpit, a banner hanging from the ceiling caught her eye. It read, Get In, Sit Down, Shut Up, and Hold On; the sarcastic checklist every astronaut knew by heart. She thought to herself yeah, that’s no shit.

  The simulated door automatically opened for her as she approached and once through, she turned the door handle clockwise and listened for the distinct sound she knew so well. Clink, psssstttt, ahhhhhh.

  As she climbed into the pilot’s seat she immediately started running the first two memory items on her real checklist and turned the battery master switch ‘on’, immediately followed by the avionics master switch. The cockpit whirred to life and a series of cooling fans turned on followed by the familiar beeps of the various systems coming on line. Step two down. While she waited, she reached over her shoulders and then between her legs to connect the four-point harness. Just like Sky had taught her to. Step three … done.

  It was Step four she had the hardest time with … shut up. After all, she had a checklist to run and might as well say it out loud so she could hear herself think.

  Checklist item one … On.

  Checklist item two … Armed.

  Checklist item three … Engaged.

  Checklist item four … Complete.

  Checklist item five … On.

  As the main engine ignited the simulator shook so violently that it felt just like the real thing. Stars, she thought…I guess this is the hold on part. She cleared the launch tower and felt the control surfaces of the aircraft give feedback in her control stick. Nosing the aircraft over, the g-forces from the acceleration eased off of her. A welcome but temporary relief.

  BOOM. She didn’t hear it but she felt the vibration in the wing spar as she accelerated through Mach one, the speed of sound. The side of her mouth tilted upward in a grin of badassery.

  IGNITION BOOSTER CUTOFF. She reached up and flicked both switches to the off position and waited for the shaking to stop. Nothing. Still shaking. She looked at the engine instrumentation crew alert system, or as pilots had dubbed it, the EICAS display. She was right. The instruments indicated the ignition booster cut off had occurred. And the turbine inlet temperature was right where it should be without the ten thousand gallons of rocket fuel being dumped into them.

  That’s weird. The shaking continued. No caution lights, nothing … what kind of training failure could this be? Then suddenly she heard a loud pop and everything went black. There were no more screens, no more aircraft sounds, no more … the shaking continued. It took her a few seconds to realize the simulator had completely shut down and she was back in the real world.

  Aurora removed her glasses.

  When the entire room seemed to move, she realized her entire body shook.

  The vibrations felt too real.

  This wasn’t a part of her simulation.

  The entire Titon Technologies building trembled.

  Chapter 2

  Zane

  Titon Technologies towered above the Orlando skyline, casting monstrous shadows over the busy street below. Zane knew he was the only one who noticed their gloomy existence. Needing to be invisible—a ghost—he used the dark corners to his advantage.

  No one could find out he was here.

  At least ten reporters camped outside of the main door, probably waiting for another scandal. It had been two weeks since Hailen was arrested, but with the way these guys behaved you would have thought it had happened last night.

  No wonder Aurora hated attention. If he’d lived around these vultures all of
his life, he probably would’ve never left the building.

  Zane patted the techspider in his pocket, ensuring it was still there. He briefly wished he could just stroll through the front door instead of what he was about to do. But what fun would that be? Was it wrong that Zane wanted to best Titon Technologies in some way?

  Nah.

  He ducked around a sidewall and pressed his back flush against it, listening. A hovercar hummed nearby, but all was quiet. Keeping his footsteps light, he continued toward the back of Titon Technologies.

  Dumpsters blocked the way, overflowing with bits of tech. The place looked like a robotic massacre. Used simulator screens littered the ground. They shattered under Zane’s combat boots, creating a crunching noise in his wake. He refused to look any closer at what exactly the dumpsters held, not wanting to see the waste of salvageable tech. His fingers twitched, needing to fix them. But he wasn’t here for that.

  Zane wanted—no needed—answers. And the Titon Technologies stamp he’d unknowingly carried with him all these years meant those answers were here.

  Once he’d maneuvered around the dumpsters, he had a clear view of his target. Large metal doors lined the back building wall for hovertruck access. The only point of entry was a solid blue door at the top of a set of stairs. A red light blinked above the retinal scanner and a silver keypad marked the door. He knew he’d have two minutes and four seconds to get in.

  Zane pulled the techspider from his pocket and pressed the minuscule button under its back leg. The spider came to life, revealing eight brilliant red eyes that focused on him. As it waited for instructions, the spider extended its pointy legs and flexed them. Zane felt a brief sense of accomplishment; he’d adapted this wicked little guy into something he could use.

  ‘Project Arachnid,’ he whispered, initiating the spider’s break and enter program.

  Zane ran toward the door, hoping his dark clothing would help hide him. When he reached the top stair, he squatted down, not wanting to alert the retinal scanner. He glanced around, making sure no one would witness his next ridiculous move. On all fours he crawled to the door. He placed the spider on the ground and its metallic legs ting’d as it crept up the wall and into the retinal scanner. Twenty-two-point-six seconds had passed.