The Starfire Wars: The Complete Series

by Jenetta Penner

  Out of nowhere, a dark figure appears on the sidewalk, and I slam into their frame. I step back. “I’m so sorry.” Rubbing my chest, I look up to Javen.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  “Stopping you.”

  “Stopping me, why? Someone has to do something.”

  An expression of worry washes over his face, and Javen motions me away from the middle of the sidewalk. I follow his cue since I keep forgetting that no one else can see him.

  “How do you know where I’m going, anyway?” I ask.

  “I’m not sure. A few minutes ago, I was drawn to your Starfire, and I knew you planned to tell people about us. It’s the effect of the crystal.” Javen takes my shoulders. “You can’t do this.”

  “Why? Someone has to.”

  “Someone did. Or at least attempted to.”

  I move from his touch. “Then take me to them. Maybe they can help me.”

  Javen’s expression grows sad. “I can’t. That person was your father.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “My dad obviously wanted to work with you.”

  He shakes his head. “I know, but making the knowledge of my people public is a mistake. One that could get you killed.”

  I know he's right and I need more time to make a plan.

  “Fine. But I won’t let my parents’ vision be destroyed.” I turn from him and walk away.

  Chapter 14

  Part of me wants Javen to follow me, but the other part wants to be alone. I glance around, and he’s gone. His absence steals the breath from my lungs for a moment.

  I graze the ring on my finger. What do I do, Mom? I listen for any kind of response, but nothing comes.

  As I walk, a few pedestrians move from the buildings onto the street. Hammond’s announcement must be over. I walk the streets until I identify the park Max took me to and plop onto the nearest bench. I study one of the trees and notice a blue bird building a nest in the highest branches, one I’m completely unfamiliar with, sporting a long-feathered tail.

  I have no idea what kind of bird it is; I’m sure a native species of this planet. Maybe it’s an Arcadia pigeon. If so, they’re a lot prettier than Earth pigeons. My shoulders droop a notch. The bird weaves a few twigs into her project, just as any mother bird would do on Earth. Strange how I’m so far away from home, but essentially life here is the same.

  I gaze at Mom’s ring, and my lips stretch into a sad smile. I’d better get back.

  ∆∆∆

  I open the door to my room and find Irene alone and lounging on her bed with a DataPort perched on her lap.

  “Alina left?”

  “Finally,” she mumbles without looking from the display while continuing to type. “That girl talks and talks and talks.”

  I flop into a chair and spin the seat around to face her. “She say anything else about me after I left?”

  Irene stops typing and glances up. “Be careful around people. I’ve seen enough that you can’t be too careful about who you can trust.”

  “Worked out okay with you.”

  She clicks her tongue. “That could’ve turned out bad, too.” Irene turns the computer screen toward me. “I’m progressing with hacking into the ship’s feed.”

  “How long do you think it’ll take?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe by tomorrow.”

  I move from the chair to her bunk and sit. “How do you do it?”

  “Hacking?”

  “Yeah.” I peer at the screen, and it looks like nothing but a bunch of garbled symbols.

  Irene laughs. “It’s not a skill I could teach you in a few hours.”

  “I know. But I’m a fast learner.”

  Irene nods and runs me through the program she’s using. Admittedly, I don’t understand half of it, but a few of the steps and terms make sense.

  “So, you think you know enough for a job at Extra Solar now?” she teases.

  I let out a chuckle. “If only. The day after tomorrow I’m going to start my job at the Capitol building.”

  Irene closes the lid to her DataPort. “How did that happen? I mean, it’s good, right? It gets you inside, at least.”

  “That’s exactly why I took it. Between you and me, we should have information on my dad soon. I have no idea what we’ll do with it. But I’ll think of something. If we get hard evidence, someone will listen, right?”

  Irene shrugs. “I hope so.”

  My Connect buzzes with a message from Max.

  Meet me downstairs. I have good news.

  “Max wants to meet me,” I say and scoot off the bunk.

  “I’ll be here.” Irene returns to working on her DataPort.

  “See you later.” I hurry out the door and downstairs to see what news he has.

  When Max sees me, he smiles. “Come with me. I have a person for you to meet. I was able to get a permanent hire with one of the Board members.”

  I follow his lead. “Who?”

  “Lia Hirata,” he says. “I was assigned to a position on her security team.”

  “How’d you swing a job like that? Your parents?”

  “No. The last guy I was working for is a sympathizer with a lot of pull. He doesn’t agree with Hammond. The two of us have spent a lot of time together over the last few days, and I’ve expressed a few concerns about the secrecy of the explosion, how everything looks like it was swept under the rug. I knew he was close to Hirata, so I asked for him to put in a good word. Two hours ago, he messaged that she was increasing her security team.”

  “Right after the announcement?”

  “Pretty much,” he says. “She wanted to meet with me right away, and I didn’t hold back. I told her about what’s going on with you and that you needed help.”

  My breathing picks up, and my thoughts turn to my conversation with Javen. If I speak to Hirata, I’m only going to keep to the explosion and my dad. I told Javen I wouldn’t bring up his people. And I have no idea how much Hirata knows when it comes to co-inhabiting Arcadia anyway. One thing at a time. But if she can help me with Dad, I can trust her with the rest.

  “Let’s go meet her.”

  Max and I hurry the rest of the way to the Capitol building. As I study the large structure the next block over, my stomach drops. What if Hammond sees me here?

  “You don’t need to worry,” Max says as if he’s read my mind. “Hammond gave you a free pass into the building by hiring you. I had Hirata add you to the security list early. Anyway, Hammond left after the announcement. Probably to avoid questions.”

  His words don’t help my churning stomach, but I keep my feet moving forward. We pass through the security checkpoint easily, then use the elevator to the twentieth floor where Hirata’s office is located. Once there, Max palms the security pad on the side of the door.

  With her back to us, Hirata gazes out a large picture window. She turns as we step in, her arms crossed over her chest and worry seeped into her expression—until she recognizes Max. Relieved, she uncrosses her arms and makes a beeline toward us, extending her hand.

  “I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through.” She takes my hand and squeezes my palm tightly.

  I realize, as her words comfort the ache in my heart, that she’s the first adult since the accident who has said anything like this to me. A wave of emotion overtakes my body.

  “Thank you,” I say, clutching her hand. “You don’t know how much that means to me. Do . . . do you know what happened in the explosion, to my dad?”

  Hirata releases my hand and gestures Max and me toward two chairs in front of her desk. We each take a seat, and she rounds the desk to her chair.

  “I wish I knew more, but Hammond isn’t releasing information from the investigation. The residents of Primaro have already accepted the incident as just a horrible accident. Publicly closing the case made it easier for everyone to move on with their new lives.” Hirata taps the top of her desk and a hologram of a building appears. “What I do know is that your belongings are be
ing held in here.” She points to the building.

  “How will I be able to get in?” I ask.

  “That’s the strange thing,” Hirata says. “The boxes were sent to public storage and haven’t even been pulled yet for the investigation. But anyone can enter the facility.”

  “What about the code?” Max asks.

  “I have it.” Hirata pulls open her desk drawer and reaches in. She hands me a slip of paper with the building’s address and a set of numbers on it.

  25504

  4508129543

  I study the numbers and stuff the paper in my pocket.

  “The first is the storage room and the second is the code to open it,” she says.

  My heart picks up its pace. “And you think there might be something in there that can help me?”

  Hirata lifts a delicate shoulder in a slight shrug. “To be honest . . . I don’t know, Cassi. But it’s the best I can do right now. Hammond shouldn’t be keeping your father’s things from you.”

  Frustration brews in my chest. Hirata must be aware of more than she’s telling us. “You’re on the Board. Why don’t you use your influence to do more than get me the code and location of my dad’s possessions?”

  “She’s only trying to help.” Max’s eyes narrow in confusion. “We have to start somewhere.”

  I stand and stare at her. “No. This is so much bigger than you’re admitting. My dad knew about the Starfire, and you know about it too.”

  Hirata’s eyes grow wide. “How do you know about the Starfire? That word is classified.”

  “Starfire?” Max asks.

  Hirata stands and moves her gaze between Max and me. She looks down and taps away at the hologram. “I’m on your side, Cassi. But the Starfire is not a topic I’m able to discuss with you right now. I suggest you forget this . . . information . . . and go check your father’s items for anything sentimental. If I learn anything concerning the investigation, I will let you know.”

  “You know this whole situation needs more thought on your part,” I say.

  She tips her head, and her tense expression softens. “Of course I do. But if I make waves before I have the evidence I need, there might be another unexplained explosion.”

  Her words punch me in the stomach, and I gape at her.

  “Max,” she says. “I’d like you to escort Miss Foster to the storage facility and then return when you’ve seen her safely home.”

  Max stands. “Yes, ma’am.” He eyes me and I gesture with my head to the door.

  “Please think about what I said,” I say to Hirata before we exit.

  “I hope you locate what you need in your father’s belongings,” she responds.

  I push out of the office, clenching my teeth.

  “What were you talking about in there?” Max whispers, leaning into me. “Starfire? I thought we were here to talk about your dad?”

  “Cassi, Max.” A female voice comes from behind, and I swing toward the source.

  Alina walks toward us, all smiles and dressed in a pair of blue pants and an aqua shirt.

  “Why are you in the Capitol building?” I ask, hoping she didn’t overhear anything Max had just spoken to me.

  Alina looks from me to Max, lingering a second too long on him. She clears her throat. “I had a job interview.”

  “You did? What position?” I ask.

  She looks away. “It’s not great . . . probably the assistant to an assistant. I’m sure I’ll end up getting coffee for everyone if I get the position.”

  “But it’s something, right?” I say, trying to stay positive for her but, all the while, itching to get out of here.

  “Exactly,” she says.

  “Sorry, Alina,” Max interrupts. “But Cassi and I have to go.”

  Alina smiles at him. “No, problem. Maybe I can see you later?”

  “Maybe,” I say and pull Max’s arm. But I’m fully aware she’s not talking to me. “Good luck with the job.”

  Max follows my lead and we hustle to the elevator.

  “Bye,” Alina says from behind.

  Max and I step out onto the ground floor and walk to the street.

  “Can you tell me what happened back there?” Max asks.

  I rub my temple. I don’t really know what’s going on anymore. Everything I could tell Max sounds completely crazy. People are living on this planet no one can see but me. And magic crystals have to do with all of this . . . weirdness. He’ll think that I’m experiencing a mental breakdown or something. I swallow back the fear and consider my friend.

  “I’m not sure,” I answer quietly. “All I know is Hammond’s announcement means something bad is going to happen on Arcadia. And my dad knew about it.”

  “And what’s this word ‘Starfire?’”

  “I must have heard my dad say the word one time.” I place my hand in my pocket and pull out the paper Hirata gave me. “Let’s go to the storage unit.”

  Max doesn’t say anything for a few seconds. I’m sure he knows that I’m avoiding his question. “I recognized the building on the hologram. It’s about eight blocks from here. You want to walk or grab a ride?”

  My body radiates with nervous energy. “Walking is probably best.”

  About thirty minutes later, we arrive at the facility. The front doors slam behind us and echo in the cement space. I glance around the long gray hallway lined with wide metal doors. The place is empty.

  “What’s the unit again?” Max asks.

  I uncrumple the paper from my hand. “25504.”

  He scans the directory. “That’s on the second floor.”

  Max and I take the stairs to the second floor and locate the unit. I enter the code, and as I open the door, an automatic light comes on overhead. Inside, at least twenty-five storage boxes crowd the unit, stacked several high. None of them are labeled.

  “Well, one at a time,” Max says.

  I tip my head. “I guess I don’t have anything to do until tonight.”

  My stomach sinks when I remember how I’m supposed to eat dinner with Luca to discuss my new job.

  “You start on the right, and I’ll start on the left,” he says.

  “Okay.” I walk to the nearest box and open the lid. Inside are items I recognize from our home on Earth. Another time, I’d probably be happy to see them. But this isn’t a time for keepsakes.

  I dig through the box and several others, finding nothing to help me. Max’s boxes are no better. I do spot my missing items, but to be honest, I haven’t needed anything and there’s no room in the dorm, so I might as well leave everything here.

  “This is useless,” I say, plopping onto the cold ground. “These are all just personal items.”

  “There’s still a bunch more.” Max lifts the top off a new box and rifles through the contents. He lifts out a smaller container and opens the top. “Your dad went to Europe? Did you go too?”

  My ears perk up at his words, and I spring to my feet. “No, what did you find?”

  “Souvenirs?” He shrugs and pulls an item out. “And I think this is a thumb drive. It’s pretty old tech. I haven’t seen one in a long time.”

  I snatch the device from his hand. “We need to get this to Irene.”

  Max tips his head in confusion. “Now your dad’s vacation pictures suddenly interest you?”

  “My parents never went to Europe. They came to Arcadia.”

  Chapter 15

  Max and I burst through the door to my room, and Irene slams shut the lid to her computer.

  She exhales, relieved. “It’s you two. Alina has been by here two times while you were gone.”

  I close the door. “We found something . . . I might need your help.” My breath comes out in pants as I hold the thumb drive out to her.

  Irene puts aside the computer and stands. She walks to us and glances from my hand to Max and back at my palm. “I haven’t seen one of those in a long time. I can’t access the data here, though. I’m going to need specialized equipment. What do
you think is on it?”

  “It could be nothing,” I say, my breathing finally returning to normal. “But I got access to my dad’s missing stuff, and this was in it.”

  “And you think what’s on the drive has to do with the explosion?”

  I shake my head.

  “Cassi’s parents came here on a secret trip,” Max blurts out. “The drive might tell us why.” His Connect buzzes, and he lifts his wrist to look at it. His shoulders sink. “Hirata needs me at the office.” He looks to me. “You let me know if you find anything.”

  “We will,” I say.

  “I’ll message you when I get off work,” Max says as he slips out the door.

  I nod, but I doubt he sees me. “So, how is the progress with the ship’s feeds?” I ask Irene.

  “Good,” she says. “I thought it would take me longer. But I’m nearly in. I should have access by tonight.” She walks to the bowl of fruit in the kitchen and grabs a plum. “How soon do you need whatever is on this thumb drive?”

  I press my lips together. I need all of it now. “As soon as you can.”

  Irene takes a bite of her plum and peers away as if she’s in thought. “I’d like a break anyway. I can head to work and use equipment there to transfer the files to my DataPort.”

  My Connect buzzes.

  Reminder: Dinner with Luca Powell at 5:30 PM

  My heart sinks at the sight of the words. It’s the last thing I want to do.

  Irene leans into me and glances at my wrist. “You’re having dinner with Luca Powell?”

  “It’s not a good thing,” I scoff.

  “Oh . . . I knew that guy was a slime ball the minute I saw him. But you’re the one who wants information, and he might have it if you play your cards right.”

  I wrinkle my nose and sit on the barstool in the kitchen. “That’s the whole reason I even agreed. Our dinner is to discuss my new job.”

  Irene takes another bite of her plum and raises an eyebrow. “He didn’t need to ask for a dinner date to talk about your job, though.”

  “Like you said, he’s a slime ball. I’ll be careful.”

  Irene finishes her plum and tosses the pit into the composter. “I might not be back by the time you leave. Message me if there are any problems.”