The Heroes Return Read online

  “Forget it. Just promise me you’ll keep what I tell you between friends from now on.”

  I nod at Ryan as he and Meggi leave me at the suction chute and hurry up the hall to their briefing.

  I can’t believe Ryan got in trouble for telling me about my own sister. Wouldn’t Cole want me to know about Addy? If Ryan hadn’t tipped me off, would Cole have kept that from me?

  Plus, how on earth can keep things between friends not include Cole?

  I activate the chute and close my eyes as I’m sucked in. The wind plasters my hair to my forehead, and my hands to my sides. I try to lose myself in the rush of the chute, forget about the disaster that’s my life right about now. But there’s no escaping my new reality.

  Me, Jasper Adams, apparent poster boy of the Bounders (whatever that means), but otherwise useless and clueless. Sister? Missing. Friends? Busy. Life? Stolen.

  That’s what it feels like, anyway, like the last year was stolen from me, and all I’m left with are questions and that infuriating Youli message.

  The structure that houses the sensory gym is deserted. The lights are dimmed, and all the doors in the hall are shut. It’s like no one’s been here in a long time. Actually, that’s probably true. The main things on this side of the structure are the gym and the pod hall. It doesn’t seem like the Bounders have time for the gym anymore, and they’re apparently way past the need for pod leader lessons. Practically all the Bounders are captains now. Another thing I missed: a big Earth Force promotion.

  I stop by the door to the pod hall and lean my eye to the scanner. A flicker of hope waves in my chest as I wait, only to hear the sour beep denying me entrance. How long ago did I first enter the pod hall? Jasper time: less than two years. Real time: way more.

  I continue down the hall to the sensory gym. When I enter, the memories nearly overwhelm me. I can almost hear Mira playing piano. I close my eyes and imagine holding my clarinet in my hands, harmonizing with Mira’s powerful melodies.

  But there’s no music today. I slowly walk to the ball pit in the corner, climb in, sink down, and disappear.

  I let myself drift until I fall asleep, my mind skipping from one stressful dream to the next. Eventually, the sound of footsteps shakes me awake.

  “You’re a very hard person to find,” a girl’s voice calls.

  So much for disappearing. I awkwardly push myself up through the balls to find Jayne staring back at me.

  “I’ve never heard that before,” I say. “In fact, I’m the one who’s usually lost.”

  She crosses her arms and stares at me with her purple eyes, like she’s deciding whether to believe me.

  Believe me, Jayne, I’m directionally challenged.

  I lie back in the ball pit, wishing I could return to disappearing. I don’t have the energy to deal with people right now. “So, you found me. What do you want?”

  “Geez, don’t sound so thrilled.” Jayne sits on the edge of the ball pit. “What’s wrong?”

  I shake my head. “It’s nothing.”

  She gives me the side-eye. “It’s obviously something. Talk to me. I’m a good listener.”

  Maybe I will feel better if I talk to someone. I heft myself out of the pit and sit next to her on the edge. “It’s strange coming back.” I stare at my shoes and force myself to keep talking. “For everyone here, life went on. They have new friends, new roles, new responsibilities. Sure, they’re happy I’m back, but there’s no place for me in their lives anymore.”

  Jayne puts her hand on my shoulder. I can feel the heat of her palm through my shirt. “I wouldn’t say that, Jasper. It takes time for everyone to adjust. You included.”

  “I know, it’s just . . .” I bite my lip, not exactly sure how to express what I’m feeling. “I’m used to certain people being around, people who know me almost better than I know myself. When they’re not here, it’s harder.”

  “Addy.”

  “Yeah . . . and—”

  “Mira.”

  I nod.

  “You guys were—”

  “No. I mean, yes. I mean, sort of.” I shake my head. “It’s hard to explain.”

  “I was going to say ‘close.’ ”

  “Oh. Yeah, we were close.”

  “You know what I think you need?” Jayne pops up and shoves my shoulders, launching me back into the ball pit. Laughing, she says, “Some sensory playtime.”

  By the time I get my feet under me, Jayne is already across the gym, jumping on the trampoline. She hops across the springs, hurls herself in the air, and drops into the pit beside me.

  “That wasn’t nice!” I say with a smile. I pick up a ball in each hand and throw them at her.

  “Hey!” Jayne bats the balls away then pegs me with one.

  “You’ve got a good arm,” I say, “but you won’t hit me twice.”

  I dodge and duck the balls she hurls at me, then dive backward into the pit, letting the balls cradle my body. Jayne showers an armful of balls on my head. Then she spins around and falls beside me, giggling.

  “You were right,” I say. “This is what I needed.” I like being with Jayne. It’s easy. It’s fun. And I don’t need to worry about her reading my thoughts.

  She stops laughing. “I’m glad, because we’ve got to go now.”

  I almost forgot that she was looking for me when she came in here. “Where?”

  “To see the admiral.”

  • • •

  By the time Jayne and I arrive at the auditorium, the first several rows are filled. Lucy is on the front stage with Maximilian Sheek. She glares at Jayne when we walk in. Jayne rushes to check in with Lucy, then takes a reserved seat near the front. From the looks of it, the entire public relations department has assembled for this meeting.

  Also, all the old aeronauts are here. I slide into an empty seat next to Bai Liu.

  She nods at me. “Finally a familiar face, or at least a face that hasn’t aged fifteen years.”

  I never thought Bai Liu would think of me as familiar. I guess, in a way, we’re in this together. What’s going on?” I ask her. “Another debrief?” I scan the room for the admiral but don’t spot her.

  “Hardly,” Bai says, rolling her eyes. When I look at her quizzically, she adds, “You mean you haven’t heard?”

  “Heard what?”

  The door opens before she can answer. The admiral enters, flanked on either side by Cole and Ridders. Everyone in the auditorium stands at attention. They march straight down the aisle and take seats in the front row.

  Lucy approaches the podium with a humongous fake smile on her face. “Thank you all so much for coming. I’m pleased to formally announce the Lost Heroes Homecoming Tour.”

  The screen behind her fills with a huge graphic that reminds me of old-school video games. The letters zoom onto the screen from the left and right in bold colors. Then behind the letters, a swirling sphere comes into focus. When it slows down, I can see that it’s Earth.

  Old photos zoom across the image, freeze for a second in the center, then zoom away, replaced by another. They’re all pictures of the lost aeronauts. Most of them are famous photos that have been all over the webs for years.

  “The tour will travel to eight major sites on Earth,” Lucy says. “The publicity campaign is already well under way. The public reaction to today’s announcement of the lost heroes’ return has already been record-setting. We’ll be rolling out spots on the webs about the tour starting tomorrow. We expect turnout at the rallies to be huge, well into the tens of thousands at every location. And, of course, press coverage will be constant. In addition to EFAN filming at the rallies, we’ll have cameramen with us all the time so that we can piece together a fantastic behind-the-scenes special.”

  Sheek pulls the mic from Lucy. Even though it’s clear she’s the one who put this all together, he’s not about to let her take the whole spotlight. “I’ll be hosting the rallies, of course.”

  Lucy grabs the mic back from Sheek. “We’ll be c
ohosting them. We’re not the highlight attraction, though.” She turns around to look at the screen.

  This is obviously a cue to whomever is running the video, because when Lucy turns, the image morphs into the face of Denver Reddy.

  “I give to you . . . your lost heroes!” Lucy says with a flourish of her arm.

  The audience claps as the screen moves from one lost aeronaut to the next.

  Jayne catches my eye from the front. I get why she needed to be here, but why me? I would much rather be in the sensory gym than under the fluorescent lights of the auditorium.

  Lucy’s been talking through the whole presentation, describing each aeronaut, their home city, their greatest accomplishments. “. . . last but certainly not least . . . ,” she’s saying.

  The screen behind her morphs into a giant picture of my face. I’m staring off to the side and look a lot younger than I am now. I have no idea where or when it was taken. The image is sort of faded in the background with these words on top: PROTECTING OUR PLANET COMES AT A PRICE.

  “We can’t forget the youngest hero on the Lost Heroes Homecoming Tour,” Lucy continues, “Jasper Adams!”

  The screen image spins. When it stops, a new picture of me smiles back. It’s one of the pictures they took of me this morning in the press room. This time the words OUR HERO COMES HOME! overlay the image.

  “Hero? Me?” I blurt out.

  “Of course!” Lucy says through gritted teeth. “Although you obviously have some work to do in playing the part. Fear not, we’ve onboarded stylists, and I’ll personally be training all of you on line delivery and stage presence beginning first thing tomorrow.”

  I can’t believe this. They’re sending me to Earth on a PR tour? How am I going to convince the admiral to talk to the Youli if I’m halfway across the galaxy?

  Lucy goes on and on about the tour, but I’m not capable of listening. Everything is happening too fast. It’s like the countdown for a bound that’s not in my control.

  Next thing I know, everyone is getting out of their seats and shuffling toward the door.

  Denver claps me on the shoulder as he walks up the aisle. “Back to the future, kid. We’ll be home before we know it.”

  “Huh?”

  “You’re a real zone-out, aren’t you?” Bai asks as she slides by me to join Denver. “They aren’t wasting time with this Lost Heroes Homecoming Tour. Our ship leaves the day after next at 0800.”

  “Let’s go, kid,” Denver says. “They need us at a secondary briefing, stat. Apparently, we need lessons on how to be heroes.”

  8

  THE SECONDARY BRIEFING FOR ME and the lost aeronauts takes place in a large training room where I’m pretty sure I took quantum technology with Ridders during my first tour of duty. It’s basically a repeat of what was said during the first briefing with some extra info about the tour and our schedule for the next twenty-four hours. Midway through, plebes roll in carts of food. At first I’m pumped because senior officer cuisine is a heck of a lot better than tofu dogs, but then I realize I’m missing dinner in the mess hall. I was supposed to meet up with Meggi and Ryan. They were going to fill me in on my lost year.

  “Why do I get the feeling they don’t want to let us loose at the space station?” Bai asks during our meal break.

  “Because they don’t want to let us loose at the space station,” Denver says.

  “You really think so?” I ask. “Why?”

  “Information control,” Bai says. “I told Den he asked too many questions during our recent history lesson this morning.”

  Denver shrugs. “I couldn’t help it. They got it all wrong about the Tunneler treaty. Who knows what other crap they were feeding us?”

  Crap? That doesn’t sound too officer-like, especially when talking about the Earth Force party line. “What do you think they’d do if I tried to leave?”

  “Go for it, kid.” Bai nods at the door. “Be the guinea pig.”

  I push aside my soy nuggets and head for the door. A female officer steps in front of me. “Can I help you, Officer Adams?”

  “I just need to run to the mess hall,” I say. “I told my friends I’d meet them for dinner, and I want to let them know I’m not going to make it.”

  She smiles. “Who are your friends? I’ll make sure they get the message.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll only be a minute.” I dodge to the side and try to reach the door.

  She’s faster than me. Her body blocks the exit. “We’re getting ready to resume, Officer Adams. Your friends will understand.”

  I back away from the door and return to the table.

  As I slink into my seat, Denver leans over. “Told ya, kid.”

  After the briefing, we’re escorted to our rooms and informed that a guard will arrive in the morning to take us to our next prep session for the Lost Heroes Homecoming Tour.

  Denver and Bai were right: Earth Force is keeping tabs on us. They won’t let us out of their sight. I have only slightly more freedom than the caged Youli prisoner we discovered here during our first tour of duty.

  I try my door handle. At least they haven’t gone so far as to lock us in our rooms. I think about heading out now and tracking down Ryan. His quarters are probably close. But the truth is, I probably only have one shot at getting out and getting answers. I need to maximize my chances.

  My best chance at real answers and real results is Cole.

  I set my alarm for 0445. Meggi said Cole was up early. Hopefully his version of early is earlier than the time the guard arrives at my door. And hopefully, he’s willing to help out an old friend. I need answers about what happened over the last year. I have to talk to my parents. With all the press coverage, they must know by now that I’m not dead. Still, I’m sure they’d feel a lot better hearing it from me. Plus, I’ve got to convince Cole to persuade the admiral to talk to the Youli. Mira’s future depends on it.

  The next morning, I make it out of my room and to the mess hall door without running into anyone. Two minutes later, Cole cruises down the hall in a fast, efficient clip. He’s focused on the tablet he’s holding. I’m betting he’s going to blow right by me.

  “Cole!”

  He abruptly stops and jerks his head in my direction. “Jasper. Sorry, I didn’t see you. What are you doing here? Why are you awake so early?”

  I follow him into the mess hall. “Why are you up so early? I heard you eat at this time every day.”

  “I’m very busy, and I find the best way to maximize—”

  “Forget it,” I interrupt. “I didn’t really mean for you to answer that.” He’s moving like a machine. We’re already halfway through the buffet line. He stocks his plate with highly practical, protein-packed foods, like fluffed tofu and veggie nutripatties and dried fruit chunks. My plate is empty. I grab a few tater tots and a leftover yogurt squeezie from last night’s dinner and tail after Cole.

  “Anyway,” I continue, “we haven’t had a chance to catch up. I was hoping we could have breakfast together.” We exit the food line and head into the seating area.

  Cole stops. He stares at his plate in one hand and his tablet in the other. “I usually read the overnight briefing material during breakfast and then go directly to the fitness room.”

  “Does that mean ‘no’?”

  He stays frozen a moment longer then turns and walks toward a table near a porthole. “Let’s go,” he calls. “I’ll skip the fitness room this morning, but I’m still on a tight schedule.”

  I slide into the seat across from him. “Thanks for making time for me. I know you’re like a really important person these days.” An awkward laugh sneaks out of my throat, and I can’t think of what else to say. What is this? I’m feeling insecure around Cole? I can’t afford to let that happen. Too much is at stake in this conversation.

  “It’s not like that,” Cole says. “I function better when I stick to a schedule, that’s all.”

  His words help me relax a little, and I toss a mushy tot into
my mouth. “The food’s better. At least they have choices now.”

  “I haven’t noticed,” he says. “I’ve gotten used to the fluffed tofu. It doesn’t taste like much, but it keeps me full until lunch.”

  “Cool. Very efficient.”

  “Are you settling in?” he asks after swallowing a huge bite of tofu.

  It’s such a strange question, like something you’d ask a houseguest who came for an extended vacation.

  “Sure. The officer digs are a real upgrade, although I’m sure that’s not a permanent assignment.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Cole finishes his tofu and moves on to the veggie nutripatties. “I may be able to have your accommodations level permanently elevated.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” I say. “The dorm is fine. Really.”

  Cole nods and glances at his watch.

  This breakfast definitely has a ticking clock. I need to prioritize. I can probably get someone else to fill in the blanks about my missing time. And Lucy said we’d have visiting hours for friends and family during the Lost Heroes Homecoming Tour, so I know I’ll get a chance to talk to my parents soon. My first priority has to be Mira. I need to get to the Youli’s message, for her sake. “There is something you can do for me.”

  Cole raises his eyebrows and mumbles, “Hmmm,” through his food-filled mouth.

  “I need you to talk to the admiral.”

  He sets his fork on his plate and slowly finishes chewing. Then he takes a large gulp from his mug filled with electrolyte-probiotic water. After placing his mug on the table, he turns his gaze on me. “Jasper, you’re a friend. I’m happy to listen. But you should know before you say anything that I don’t practice favoritism.”

  Of course he doesn’t. It’s Cole, after all. “I would never ask you unless it was extremely important.”

  Cole nods for me to go ahead.

  I take a deep breath. “The Youli have a message for the admiral, and—”

  “You mean peace?” Cole whispers. “They want Earth Force to meet for peace talks and discuss Earth’s entrance to the Intragalactic Council?”

  “Basically, yeah. Who told you?”