Dark Expanse (Bright Beyond Prequel) by Theresa Kay

Author:Theresa Kay [Kay, Theresa]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Theresa Kay
Published: 2014-02-03T05:00:00+00:00

7- Then

Flight school was everything I’d hoped and more. It wasn’t even half as hectic as boot camp and there were only twenty people in my class. At first, as the only female, I had a little trouble, but once the others realized that not only was I competent and smart but that I was practically one of the guys, we all got along. It was a lot like high school actually, parties and late nights in between classes and exams. Of course, these classes were quite a bit harder. To everyone’s surprise, including my own, I excelled at everything. I’d always wanted to be a pilot and it turned out I had great instincts and a natural skill that had me at the top of the class throughout my entire time there.

The second half of the program meant a return to space. We were quartered on a small station on the edge of the Orea Quadrant. There were still simulations, but what I really enjoyed was the real time flying we got to do. Practicing maneuvers and formations was my drug. Even better, though remote, the station has a great communications array and I was able to keep in near-constant contact with Thomas.

About a month after I entered the on-site phase of training, Thomas let me know he was off to training of his own and would be out of touch for a while. Although a little disappointed I wouldn’t get to see his face in a daily vidmail, I told him I loved him and I’d be there waiting on the other end. Just like he’d always done for me.

Imagine my surprise when I saw him in a holovid on the news a few weeks later. He was standing next to his father at some awards ceremony and Serena, the same tall, willowy blond from high school, had her arm linked with his. During the clips of the ball afterward, a lot of camera time was spent on the two of them dancing together, he in a stark white commander’s uniform and she in a flowing ball gown. Her darker blond hair complimented his when she leaned her head on his shoulder and her ice blue gown was the exact color of his eyes. The commentators introduced her as ‘the younger Markham’s long-time girlfriend and newly announced fiancee.’

To say I was devastated would be an understatement. My heart shattered in my chest and it was all I could do to make it back to my quarters before completely losing it. I cried, I raged, and then I cried some more. When I pulled myself together enough to be seen, my first stop was Nathan’s door. There was no way Harvey could have kept something like this a secret.

Even my very loud and persistent pounding couldn’t make Nathan be in there, though, so my second stop was the commissary. Whether it was my red-rimmed eyes or my threat on his life, the guy on duty was convinced to give me at least three times more beer than I was allowed to have.

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