Free Week: ERT Prequel

By Frankie Ingram

15 year olds, unlimited money, and a killer family legacy make for a dangerous good time.

Twins Kyndra and Kimani have just been accepted to the Elite Rescue Academy, the most prestigious school in the solar system. Both of their parents graduated from the same academy, leaving a lofty legacy for their children to live up to. Before they r

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sci Fi Babe Creations
• Release date: Nov 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781734715859

Book preview

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Free Week

ERT Prequel

Frankie Ingram

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SciFi Babe Creations

scifibabecreations.com

Copyright © 2022 Frankie Ingram

All rights reserved.

For all those I’ve lost.

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Kyndra reclined in the cloud skimmer her grandfather had rented for the night, allowing them to enjoy the meteor shower up close and personal as a family. Her twin brother, Kimani, was playing Spot the Station on his tab. The tracking app said Unity Station would fly over them in twelve minutes.

Despite the breathtaking view of a cloudless night sky and a belly full of Grams’ fried chicken, turnip greens, and mashed potatoes, Kyndra couldn’t relax. She couldn’t stop thinking about how much her life was about to change and how she had no control over any of it.

You shouldn’t worry so much, Grams warned. Your face will get stuck all pinched up like that.

Kyndra rubbed her face, hoping the worry would wipe off. Can’t I stay with you, Grams? I could help y’all on the farm. You know I’m a good worker.

Aww, the legendary hard case is nervous. How cute, Kimani teased.

Kyndra swatted her brother’s arm. Shut up.

Grams wrapped her arm around Kyndra, squeezing her tight. Say the word and we can take off in this cloud skimmer and just fly away. We’ll forget about the Academy and all the other adulting foolishness. We’ll stay up here in the clouds, circumnavigating the world as sky nomads forever.

Kyndra smiled. She knew her grandmother was joking, but the thought was tempting. Kyndra wanted nothing more than to forget all about the Elite Rescue Academy and her shining acceptance letter.

But that wasn’t going to happen.

Kyndra and her brother, Kimani, had been trained all their lives to ensure that they made it into the Elite Rescue Academy. Even when they were dragged along with their parents to the Moon, Mars, Titan, Europa, or any of the space stations in between, their parents made sure they stayed on top of their education and physical fitness. Any child of Azima Strait was going to the Academy. Full stop. End of story.

For much of her life, Kyndra was excited about going to the Academy. She wanted to be a rescue pilot just like her dad. But now for Kyndra, that dream was dead. She had no interest in the Academy. She also had no idea what she would do with herself if she didn’t go.

Thanks, Grams, but you and I both know Mom would hunt us down within the week.

Grams waved the comment away. Your mother may have a fancy title, but she doesn’t intimidate me.

Well, she terrifies the heck out of me, Grandpa said, offering up the container of peanut butter cookies he made for the trip. He scooped up three of them before laying the container on the flying car’s dashboard. The first day I met that woman I knew she wasn’t one to mess around with. That’s probably why our son married her. She’s one tough cookie— he smiled at his own joke —kinda like my wife.

Grandma’s cheeks reddened, Oh shut up, Hector.

Yeah, Grandpa, that’s our mom you’re talking about, Kimani complained.

Grandpa rubbed the graying stubble on his thin chin. And I love her dearly, I do, but you have to admit she’s tough.

Kimani shrugged, his freshly cornrowed hair bouncing against his shoulders. Kimani tended to glaze over their mother’s flaws. It irritated Kyndra that her twin could have such a blind spot. Kyndra had love for her mother but didn’t like her, and Kyndra understood that the feeling was mutual.

Kimani’s tab rang. He looked down and a smile spread across his face that could only mean one thing.

Speaking of Mom, she’s calling. I’ll put it on screen.

Kyndra’s clear view of space was rudely replaced by her mother’s face. Kyndra sat up, anticipating the order not to slouch.

Hello, Azima Strait said. I… She got distracted by someone off screen. She muted the feed. Kyndra watched her mother talk animatedly to someone else. A few minutes passed as they sat silently. Kyndra’s ire rose, burning the back of her throat. This kind of behavior was why Kyndra didn’t bother with her mother in the first place. Kyndra’s grandmother squeezed her hand, a reminder to be patient, which wasn’t Kyndra’s strong suit. Sorry. The job never stops. Anyway, I had to call and apologize for missing all your final Academy testing. And I know I said I would be there when you got your acceptance letters, but something came up.

That's okay, we understand, Kimani said, and he probably did but Kyndra wasn’t as forgiving.

Kyndra sighed. What do you want? You’re interrupting our view of the meteor shower.

Grams smacked Kyndra’s hand. Don’t be rude to your mother.

Kyndra don’t be upset. I had no choice, their mother said.

Mom, the station is about to fly right overhead, Kimani said, cutting off any potential argument. It's almost like we’re together.

I’m on a ship coming back from Mars. I had to deal with some negotiations with the outer colonies. I should be back by the time you guys get there.

Yay, family reunion on Unity! Kimani exclaimed.

Don’t get too excited, Kyndra warned.

Kyndra’s right. I’ll still be swamped, but proximity should make it easier to connect at some point. Their mother cleared her throat. I don’t have much time. I wanted to congratulate you and tell you how proud I am of both of you.

Kyndra squirmed under her mother’s gaze. Her mother’s words sounded nice, but they fell short of making up for her absence.

I know you start your Free Week tomorrow and I didn’t want to interrupt that; I want you two to enjoy yourselves. Like I said, when I first get back to the station there's a lot of stuff to catch up on, so I’ll be busy. Still, it’ll be nice to have you guys on the same station for the next 15 months. We haven’t been that close to each other for that long in a couple years now. Their mother smiled and looked each of her children over as if seeing them for the first time. I know this transition period can be rough. I remember the day y’all were born as if it were yesterday and now somehow you guys are adults. And you will have to conduct yourselves as adults from here on out.

We know what's expected. Don’t worry, Kyndra replied.

Her mother looked at her with the same big brown eyes that Kyndra saw every time she looked in the mirror except her mother’s eyes had a sharpness to them Kyndra never wanted for herself.

I… their mother turned away from the camera again. She nodded to someone offscreen. I must go. See you next week. Enjoy your Free Week. Then she was gone.

Even though Kyndra had no desire to see her mother, the abrupt