The Secrets of Star Whales by Rebecca Thorne

Author:Rebecca Thorne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Science Fiction / Space Exploration / Social Themes / Death, Grief, Bereavement / Science & Nature / General
Publisher: North Star Editions
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

14

The Problem with Messaging

We got away with it. Somehow, some way, the entire twelfth-year class of Azura took an unsanctioned trip to the asteroid belt, and no one noticed.

It was kind of remarkable. When Mr. Hames parked his starship, when the staircase hissed open and the pressurization equalized and our ears popped as we stepped off the Calypso, I think everyone expected a welcoming party. At the very least, my mom should have been there, red with anger, waiting to drag me back to safety.

But Louisa’s hack had worked, and Nashira’s radio recordings had been flawless, and when our class went their separate ways, it was with wide grins and the knowledge of a secret so big, it’d be the gossip of the century.

And yet, for once, none of us would dare reveal it. There was no social standing greater than the knowledge that we shared something special, something magical. We were a crew now, in this together.

So when Mr. Hames opened the loading bay for the Calypso and said, “I’m sure I don’t have to remind you, but this has to stay with the ship,” we were already nodding in agreement. Especially when he added, “If anyone finds out, our excursions are done.”

So there’d be more. Already, India and I exchanged excited glances. We’d only just left the star whale, but I couldn’t wait to get back to the asteroid belt, play the decivox again, and talk to a creature bigger than most starships.

The thrill of the secret thumped my heart.

But India was staring at our class president. “Tarynn.” Her voice held warning.

The whole class turned to face her, desperation etched in all of our expressions.

She glanced between us, huffed, and snapped, “I wasn’t going to say anything! I’m a professional. You should be looking at Nashira. She’s the gossiper here.”

“Communications expert, thank you.” Nashira sniffed. “And please. The whale might be more interesting than Echo. I have to get back out there.”

Mr. Hames shot us a pleading look. “Guys. I’m counting on you. Promise?”

“We won’t tell,” I reassured him.

“Promise,” India replied, without a hint of a joke.

The other kids voiced their agreement, and we all gathered together to tap elbows—the sign of friendship and agreement. After a moment, Mr. Hames joined, smiling. “Thanks, kids. See you all next week.”

Now we were a crew, in this together. Waving goodbye to Mr. Hames, we filed off his ship, chatting pointedly about everything but the star whale.

Of course, this wasn’t the only secret I was keeping, so when the rest of the class crammed into a central elevator, I held back. India glanced at me, raising an eyebrow, but I waved her on with a clarifying excuse: “Mr. Keller.”

She huffed. “You have a decivox now, Max. Why do you need to work for him anymore?”

What? I crossed my arms, not bothering to hide the hurt in my voice. “It was never about the decivox.”

She heard what I didn’t say. That Mr. Hames’s decivox couldn’t replace my dad’s, even if his worked and mine didn’t.

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