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Contents

BlimpPage

SavetheWorld!

TitlePage

Dedication

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Chapter21

Chapter22

Chapter23

Chapter24

Chapter25

Chapter26

Chapter27

Chapter28

Chapter29

Chapter30

Chapter31

Chapter32

Chapter33

Chapter34

SneakPeek

Evidence

Copyright

PalmBeach,Florida

TheseasonalcitizensofPalmBeach,Florida,shuffledbeneaththeneatlytendedpalmtreesalongthesidewalk,rushingtocatchtheirdinnerreservations.TheOutcastcheckedhiswatch.

4:45P.M.

Oh,howheloathedtheaveragememberofhisgeneration!ForthewealthyretireeswhowinteredinPalmBeachtherewaslittletodobutshopattheluxurystoresalongWorthAvenue,lunchattheBeachClub,thendineoutatfivebeforesettlingintotheevening’spoliceproceduralshowsontelevision.

TheOutcastlockedhissleekgrayLexusandstrolledbeneaththeSpanish-stylecolonnadethatwelcomedvisitorstoa—CheesecakeFactory?

Hegrunted.Chainrestaurants.Tohisrightandtohisleft,nothingbutchainrestaurants.Whatanignobleplace,hethought,foraCahilltodie.Whenhereachedthegatehewaslookingfor,hestraightenedhistieandpressedthebuzzer.Alongtimepasseduntilfinallyasharpvoiceblurtedthroughthespeaker,“Whoisit?I’mjustsitting

downtodinner.”“Beatrice,”theOutcastsaid.“I’vebroughtyouagift.”Hereachedintohispocket,pulledoutthesmallporcelainfigurinehe’dpurchasedforjustthis

occasion,andheldituptothesecuritycamera.Thestatuewasaboutthesizeofhispalm,asmilingred-cheekedcatwearingsmallwhitewings,itspawsextendedasifinflight.Aghastlypieceof“art,”butitwassuretodothejob.Beatricelovedherporcelaincatfigurinecollection.

Amomentpassed,andthenthegateswungopen.Hestrolledinsidetoaquietcourtyardwhereasadclusterofpottedplantshadbeguntowither.Beatricehad,nodoubt,neglectedtocareforthemherselfandwastoocheaptohireagardener.

Sheopenedthedoorattherearofthecourtyardandstoodinfrontofhimwithherhandsonherhipsandherpainted-oneyebrowsraisedinsurprise.Herlipsboretheghastlyshadeofhotpinkthatshehadbeenwearingfordecades,smearedclownlikeoverhertoo-thinlips.

“Idon’tlikeunexpectedguests,”Beatricetoldhim.TheOutcastsmiled.“Yourecognizemeafteralltheseyears?”Shenoddedslowlywithoutmovingtoinvitehimin.“Ididn’tatfirst.ButnowthatIseeyouin

person,Iknowexactlywhoyouare.ApsychiconcetoldmethatIamanexcellentjudgeofcharacter.Alwayshavebeen,eversinceIwasalittlegirl.Faceschangebutaman’scharacterneverdoes.”

“Andareyougladtoseeme?”theOutcastaskedher.“Youshouldn’tbehere,”Beatricesnapped.“Notafterwhatyou’vedone.”“Thenyouwantmetogo?”Heraisedaneyebrow.Beatriceactedasifshewerestudyingherlongfalsefingernailsagainstthedoorframe.Hervoice

rosetoamouselikepitch.“Ididn’tsaythat.You’vecomeallthisway…andyousayyou’vebroughtagift?”

TheOutcastcouldn’thelpbutsmile.No,characterneverchanges.Heheldupthewingedcatfigurine.“Whydon’twehaveacupofcoffeeandcatchup?I’dlovetohearallthejuicygossipsinceI’vebeenaway.”

Beatricepointedatherself.“Gossip?Me?Inevergossip….”TheOutcastwaited.“Butithasbeenaneventfultime.”Shewhistled.“Oh,thestoriesIhave,youwouldn’tbelieve.You

knowIraisedGrace’stwograndchildrenandyou’resurelyawareofwhatungratefulteensthey’vebecome.Oh,don’tjuststandthere,comeinandI’lltellyouallaboutit.”

TheOutcastnodded.“Butfirst,let’shavethatCupidcat,”Beatricesaid,greedlightinghereyes.“It’llgoperfectlyinmy

collection.”“Itisn’tCupid,”theOutcasttoldherashecrossedthethresholdintohercondominium.“It’sIcarus.”

Heclearedhisthroat,feelingridiculousevensayingit.“CatIcarus.”“Icarus,”Beatricerepeated.Sheobviouslyhadnoideawhatthatmeant.Beatricehadgonetothefinestschools,butshehadtheintellectualcuriosityofathree-toedsloth.Heliftedthewingedcatfigureup.“FromGreekmythology.”“Oh,ofcourse,”Beatricesaid.“Obviously.”Thecornerofhermouthtwitched.“Youknowthestory,”theOutcastsaid.“HowIcarusandhisinventorfather,Daedalus,were

imprisonedinsidetheMinotaur’smazeontheGreekislandofCrete.Toescape,Daedalusbuilttwopairsofwingsoutoffeathersandwaxsoheandhissoncouldflyfromtheislandtogether.Hewarnedhispridefulyoungsonnottoflytoohigh,forifhegottooclosetothesun,itsheatwouldmeltthewaxthatheldthewingstogether.Theboy,filledwiththearroganceofyouth,flewashighashecouldonhisborrowedwings.Ashe’dbeenwarned,thewaxmelted,andtheboyplummetedtohisdeathinthesea.”

“Well,”Beatricemutteredwithashakeofherhead.“Ipreferlessgruesomestories,butofcourseitisanicelessonforyoungpeople,Isuppose,torespecttheirelders.”

“Indeed,”theOutcastagreed.Hehandedherthefigurine.“Carefulnottodropthelittlefellow.He’dshatterintoamillionpieces.”

“Thelittleonesaresofragile,aren’tthey?”Beatricesaidassheplacedthestatuecarefullyintoherwintercollectionofcatfigurines.Therewereatleastfiftyofthemstaringdownfromtheshelves,farmercatsanddoctorcatsandspycatsandevenacustom-madeBeatricecat,completewithhotpinklipstick.“I’llgogetthatcoffee,”Beatricesaidwithherbacktohimasshestudiedhercatcollectionproudly.“Ionlyhaveinstant.Ihopeyoudon’tmind.”

“Actually,Beatrice,Iwon’tbestayinglongenoughforcoffee,”theOutcastsaid.HepulledasyringefromhispocketasBeatriceturnedtofacehim.Herjawwentslack,hereyesbulged.

“Now,there’snoneedforthat…”shecroakedout.“Andanyway…I’ll—I’llscream.”“Noonewillhearyou,”hesaidcalmly.“It’sdinner-timeinPalmBeachandyoucanbecertainall

thetelevisionsarecrankedupvery,veryloud.Youshouldhavechosensomewhereelsetowinter.”HerushedforBeatrice,whoswungtoblockhim.Herlongnailsrakedacrosshischeek,buthe

caughtherwristandspunheraroundwithonehand,grippinghertightlyagainsthisbody.Shesquirmedbutcouldnotbreakfree.

TheOutcastpressedthesyringeintoherneckashewhisperedinherear,“Youshouldn’thaverecognizedme,Beatrice.Itwouldhavebeensomuchbetterforyouifyouhadn’t.”

BeverlyHills,LosAngeles,California“Yo,IknowthatthefirstRoboGangstamoviebrokeabillion-dollarboxoffice,whichiswhynow’sthetimetomakemymovie!”JonahWizardshoutedoverthephone.“I’vetoldyouahundredtimes!It’saboutakidfromthestreetswhojustwantstobeamime!”

Hepacedthroughhisswanklivingroom,gesturingwildly.Giantblack-and-whitephotographsofJonahgazeddownfromthewallsoftheroom,andsunlightstreamedinfromthefloor-to-ceilingwindowsthatlookedoverhisinfinitypool.Beyondit,LosAngelesshimmeredintheheatofmidday.

TheskyoverLosAngeleswasturninggoldandredwiththesunset.Thepalmtreesthatranalongthecitystreetscastlongshadows,andstreaksofsoftpinklightpaintedthestarkwhitewallsoftheWizardcribwithdelicatestripes.

AsJonaharguedwithhisfather/businessmanager,Amy,Dan,Hamilton,Ian,andCarasatonthewhiteleathersofa,staringatthedeep-pileblackrugonthefloor.Itseemedtochangecolorthelongeryoustaredatit,blue-blacktoblack-bluetoblack-blacktooff-black.

Amyhadn’tevenknownoff-blackwasacolor.“Idotooknowaboutthestreets!Daaad!”Jonah’svoicegrewshrillerthanAmyCahillhadever

heardit.Thesoundpiercedthroughherexhaustion,throughherworry,andmadeherwanttotossherteenagesuperstarcousin’sphoneoutthewindow…butshecouldn’tinterrupthim.ThemoneyhemadeoffhisHollywoodcareerwastheonlymoneytheyhad,nowthatanoldmancallinghimselftheOutcasthadstagedacouptotakeovertheCahillfamilyandcutoffalloftheiraccesstotheCahillbankaccounts,eventhesecretones.

AmyhadbeenalltoohappytohandoverthereinsoftheCahillfamilytoIanKabra,whohadbeenalltoohappytotakeoverleadershipofthemostpowerfulfamilyintheworld.He’dsaiditwastherolehewasborntoplay.

Hedidn’tgettoplayitforlong.TheOutcasthadkickedIanoutofCahillheadquartersinMassachusetts,turnedmostofthebranches

ofthefamilyagainstIanandhisfriends,andvowedtore-createfourfamousdisastersfromhistorythatthekidswouldhavetostop,iftheycould.They’dalreadyfoiledhisattempttosinkare-creationoftheTitanic.Onedown,threetogo.

Nowalltheycoulddowaswait.

WaitingwasnotsomethingAmyenjoyed.“Wouldyoupleasegetoffthatinfernalphonecall!”IanKabrafinallyblurted.Apparently,waiting

aroundwasnotsomethingheenjoyed,either.“No!”Jonahyelled.“Noway!”Ian’sfaceflushed.Amytensed.WhenGraceCahill,Amy’sgrandmother,hadbeeninchargeofthe

family,shewouldneverhaveallowedherauthoritytobesoopenlydefied.She’dcastpeopleoutforless,evenherownhusband.AndAmyknewforcertainthatIan’sparentshadkilledpeopleforless.AmywonderedwhatIanmightdo.

ButJonahkeptyelling.“Iwillnotaddawerewolftothestory,Dad,nomatterhowmuchthefandomwantstoseeit!”Jonahendedthecall.Hehadn’tbeenyellingatIanatall—he’dbeenyellingathisfather.

Amyrelaxed.“Sorryaboutthat,Kabra.”Jonahshrugged.“Showbusiness,youknow?”“Imostcertainlydonotknow,”Ianreplied.“Jonah,yousureyouwanttomakeamovieaboutamime?”HamiltonHoltaskedhiscousin.Hewas

Jonah’sbestfriend,cousin,andbodyguard,andrightnowhelookedgenuinelyworriedaboutJonah’scareerchoices.

Jonahshrugged.“It’sadramaaboutthesilencingoftheartistinthenoiseofcontemporarypopculture.”

“Uh…”saidHamilton.“AndRoboGangstawasn’tmything,”addedJonah.“ButIlikeRoboGangsta,”Hamiltontoldhim.“Stuffblowsup.”“Ifyouwouldbothplease!”IanKabrainterruptedthem.“Mightwenotdiscusstherelativemeritsof

stuffblowingup?Wehaveonlyjustavertedadisasterof‘titanic’proportionsandwedon’tyetknowwhattheOutcasthasinstorenext.”

JustthenAmy’sphonebuzzedinherhands.Shefrowneddownatit.“It’sAuntBeatrice.”AuntBeatricewastheirgrandmotherGrace’ssister,butwhatGracehadhadincharm,daring,and

intelligence,Beatricehadingreed,gossip,andcheapness.SheusedhersliceoftheCahillcashtospendhalftheyearinFlorida,asfarfromAmyandDanasshecouldgetwithouthavingtolearnaforeignlanguage.ShespenttheotherhalfinBoston,disapprovingofthem.

“What’sshewant?”Danasked.“Shesentusatext,”Amytoldhim,morepuzzledthanever.“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeher,”saidDan.“Shedoesn’tevenknowhowtotext.”AmyheldupthephonesoDancouldsee.Thetextcontainedonlytwowords:

Lookup

“Idon’tthinkthatisfromyourAuntBeatrice,”Iansaidashelookedupthroughthewallofglass,pastJonah’sinfinitypool,toablimpthathadsettleditselfintheairoverLosAngeles,framedperfectlyinthecenterofJonah’swindows,apublicairshowaimedatjustthesixofthem.

Theyrushedtothewindowsandlookedattheblimp,whichhoveredinplace,silhouettedagainstthedarkeningsky.Theredglowaroundtheedgesofitsblackshadowlookedlikeabulletwoundinthesky.

“Maybeweshouldgetawayfromthewindows,”Hamiltonsuggested,thinkingofbulletwoundsandsnipers.

“Idon’tbelieveourenemieswouldsendadirigibletoneutralizeus,”saidIan.“Neutralize,”Carascoffed.“That’saBrit-fuff-fuffwayofsayingyoudon’tthinkthey’retryingto

killus.Butyouknow,Kabra,theyare.”Ianclenchedhisjaw.Asleader,heneededtokeephisemotionsincheckandnotgetriledup.

However,noonecouldrilehimupquitelikeCaraPierce.Sheseemedtoderivesomekindoftwistedpleasurefromneedlinghimateveryturn.

Hesmiledather.Ianhadoncehearda$500-per-hourgurutellhisfatherthatthesimpleactofsmiling,evenafalse

smile,couldalterone’smood.Bysmiling,hehopedhismoodwouldbealteredfromfrustratedconfusiontocalm,cool,andcollectedconfidence,asbefittingaLucianofhisstanding.

Caramethissmilewithoneofherown.Howsheinfuriatedhim!Hersmilewassomuchbetterthanhis!“Amy.”IanturnedawayfromCara,stiffeninghisback.Somethingwasafoot,anditwashisjobas

leadertodosomethingaboutit,nottogetdistractedbyCara.“Doesthetextmessagesayanythingelse?Anythingaboutadirigible?”

“Stopsayingdirigible,”Carasnappedathim.“Justcallitablimplikeanormalperson.”Ianfrownedather.Hepreferredtheworddirigible,anditmeantthesamething.“No,nothingaboutablimp,”saidAmy.“Just‘Lookup.’”“Well,perhapsyoushouldcallback,then,”Iansuggested.AsAmymovedtopressCALL,anLEDpanelbelowtheblimp’sgondolalitupwithbrightredletters

scrollinginaloopoverandoveragain.Danreadthewordsaloud:“‘AccordingtoBrueghel

whenIcarusfell

itwasspring

afarmerwasploughing

hisfield

thewholepageantry

oftheyearwas

awaketingling

near

theedgeofthesea

concerned

withitself

sweatinginthesun

thatmeltedthewings’wax

unsignificantly

offthecoast

therewas

asplashquiteunnoticed

thiswasIcarusdrowning’

“AmessagefromtheOutcast?”Danwondered.“That’sapoem,bro,”Jonahtoldthemall.“‘LandscapewiththeFallofIcarus,’byWilliamCarlos

Williams.Hewasagreattwentieth-centuryAmericanpoet.”“Youmemorizepoetry?”Danwondered.“HowdoyouthinkIbecamethebesthip-hoplyricistofourtime?”Jonahsaid.“Tupacread

Shakespeare.HewasaJanus.WhenIwasstartingout,IstudiedallthepoetryIcould.SoIknowmyboyW.C.Williamswrotethispoem.”

“IneverhadmuchfondnessfortheAmericanpoets,”Ianreplied,dismissingJonah’sboast.“Doesthepoemtellusanythinguseful?”

Jonahshrugged.“It’sapoemaboutapaintingbythesixteenth-centuryFlemishartistPieterBrueghel,LandscapewiththeFallofIcarus.Well,it’sacopyofBrueghel’spaintingstyle.Nooneknowswhoactuallymadeit.There’salotofdebateinartcirclesabouttheactualpainterofthisparticularworkof—”

“Jonah!”Iansnapped.“Wedon’tneedanarthistorylesson.”“Right,”saidJonah.“So,thepaintinginquestionshowsashipsailingoutofaharborandafarmer

plowinginhisfields.EveryoneinthepaintingislookinginthewrongdirectionwhileIcarusdrownsintheAegeanSea.Onlyhistinylegsarepaintedinthecorner,see?”

HetappedapanelonthewallandoneofhispicturesturnedintoanimageofLandscapewiththeFallofIcarus.EveryphotointheroomwasactuallyanLEDscreen.Thehigh-resolutionpictureofthepaintingwassoclearyoucouldevenseethebrushstrokesonthecanvas.IantappedthescreenwhereIcarus’slegskickedhelplesslyatthesky,ignoredbythefarmerwhokeptplowinghisfield.

“Sothisisaboutlookinginthewrongdirection?”Iansuggested.“Thismessageisahintthatwearelookinginthewrongdirection.CouldyourAuntBeatricebetryingtowarnus?”

“Beatricewouldn’tknowthat,”saidDan.“Andprobablywouldn’twarnusifshedid.Anyway,wherewouldshehavegottenablimp?”

Ianpursedhislips.Hewouldhavepreferredsuggestionsratherthanjustcriticismofhisidea.ThishadtobethestartoftheOutcast’snextthreat.“Whatdoyouthink,Amy?”heasked.

Sheshookherhead.“IguessIcancallherback.”“Speakerphone,”Iansnappedalittletooforcefully.IfIanwasgoingtoprovetotheothersthathe

wastherightleaderfortheCahills,hecouldn’talwaysbelettingAmyfigurethingsout.Hehadtobetheonemanagingthissituation.

AmyputthecallonSPEAKER.Thephonerang.Andrang.Andrang.Andthenavoiceanswered,aman’svoice,oneIanrecognizedfromthedayhewastossedfromthe

mansioninAttleboroandlostcontrolofthefamily.TheOutcast.

“Hello,children,goodofyoutocall,”theOutcastsaid.“Itrustyou’vereadthepoem.”“WhereisAuntBeatrice?”Amysnappedathim.Hedidn’tanswer.Iantookovertheconversation.“Whyhaveyousentusthispoem?”“Considerityournextclue,”theOutcastsaid,chucklingtohimself.“ThenextdisasterIhave

plannedforyou.”“Westoppedyouonce,weshalldoitagain,”saidIan.“Perhapsyouwouldstopwastingourtime

andtelluswhyyou’rereallydoingthis.Ifyouwantedtounderminemyleadership,therearesimplerways.”

“Oh,IanKabra,”theOutcastsaid.“HowlikeaLucianyouare,assumingitisyourtimetowaste.Itismytime.Idecidehowyouspenditandhowmuchofityouhave.Andifyouwanttopreventaterriblelossofhumanity,Isuggestyougetbusybeforehistoryrepeatsitself.Hewhofliesclosesttothesunwillsurelyfallburningtotheearth.Good-byenow,children—”

“Wait!”Amypleaded.“Please,whereisAuntBeatrice?”TheOutcastlaughedagain.Heseemedinamerrymood,whichannoyedIanevenmore.Amy’shands

shook.“Youcaresomuchaboutthatoldcow?”theOutcastasked.“She’sfamily,”Amysaid.“Ifonlyeveryonesharedyoursentimentality,AmyCahill,”theOutcasttoldher.“Unfortunately,your

AuntBeatricedidn’tmakeit.”AmyswallowedhardandIansawherfacetightenevenastherestofherbodyseemedtoslump.

“Thecoronerwillcallitnaturalcauses,”theOutcastcontinued.“AndIsupposehe’sright.Shewasnaturallyagossipanditcaughtupwithheratlast.Now,gettowork,children.Astheysay,timeflies.Andsomustyou.TheKarmanLinewillbecrossed.”

Withthat,thecallwentdead.AmystoodstillasastatueasLosAngelesdarkenedinthewindowbehindher.Thestreetlightsandthelightsofhousesflickeredon,likeacarpetofstars,whilethesmogabovemadetheskysmoothandblank.BehindAmy,theblimpstillfloatedbetweenthefalsestarsonthegroundandtheblankskyabove,scrollingitspoem.Slowly,itturnedandbegantofloataway.

“Yo,Idon’twanttoalarmanybody,butWilliamCarlosWilliamswasfromNewJersey,”saidJonah.

Theotherslookedathimblankly.“WhyshouldwebealarmedaboutNewJersey?”Ianwondered,butJonahdidn’tanswerhim.Amy

did.“TheHindenburg,”saidAmygravely.“Thewhat?”Danreplied.Amyseemedtosnapoutofatranceasshespoke.“Ithoughttherewassomethingoddaboutwhatthe

Outcastsaid.Hetoldustherewouldbe‘aterriblelossofhumanity.’Whysayitthatway?Whysayhumanity?”Shetappedasearchintoherphoneandthenhelditupsoeveryoneelsecouldseewhatshe’dfound.

Inblackandwhite,theysawtheframeofagiantzeppelinburning,peopleinafield,runningaway.

Thelargeballoonthatheldthepassengergondolabelowshimmeredandflickeredwithflames,tiltingtothegroundatanimpossibleangleasitsuddenlysanktotheearth,smashingapart.Theskinoftheballoonmeltedawayandtheframecollapsedinaheapofburningfabricandscorchedmetal.

Jonahhitanotherbuttonandtheblack-and-whitedisasterfootagereplacedtheIcaruspaintingonthelargescreenonhiswall.

Tinyfiguresinfancyclothesranfromthewreckageofthecrashingzeppelininpanicanddismay.Rescuersrushedtowardtheflamesinfutileactsofheroism,andthecracklyvoiceofanold-timeradioreportercriedout,hisvoicechokedwithtears,“Thisistheworstdisaster…Oh…oh,thehumanity!”

Amyturnedherphonebacktoherselfandread:“‘OnMay6,1937,thepassengerzeppelinHindenburgburstintoflameswhileattemptingtodockinLakehurst,NewJersey.Thirty-sixpeoplewerekilled.’”

“‘Timefliesandsomustyou.’”DanrepeatedtheOutcast’swordsasalleyesturnedtotheblimpfloatingawayoverdowntownLosAngeles.

“Wehavetofollowthatblimp!”saidIan.

“I’mcrackingtheflightdata,”saidCara,flippingopenherlaptopandtypingatthespeedoflight.“Ifthey’refloatingoverdowntownLA,youcanbesuretheyhadtofileaflightplan.Wecanseewheretheytookoffandwherethey’resupposedtoland.”

Ianstoodoverhershoulder,watchinghertype,whiletheothersstaredoutthewindowattheblimpmakingitswayacrosstheirviewoftheLosAngelessky.

“Shouldn’twecallsomeone?”Hamasked.“IftheOutcastisgoingtore-createthecrashoftheHindenburgandthere’sablimpfloatingoverLArightnow,couldn’tthatbetheonehe’sgoingtoblowup?”

“Wecan’tsimplycalltheauthoritieswithoutproof,”Iantoldhim.“Thepolicemightthinkthatwearetheonesmakingbombthreats.And,ifyou’llrecall,IamnotaUnitedStatescitizen.YourHomelandSecurityagentsaresuspiciouschaps.”

Noonecouldarguewiththatlogic,sotheyletCaracontinuetoworkwithIanbreathingoverhershoulder.

AmyandDanstoodsidebysideatthewindow.Afteralongsilence,punctuatedonlybytheclickingofCara’skeyboardandheroccasionalgrunts

andmutterings,Danspoke.“TheOutcastkilledAuntBeatrice.”Amynodded.Beatricehadn’teverbeenkindtothem,orgenerousorlovingoranyofthethingsone

wouldwantaguardiantobe,butstill,she’dalwaysbeenaround,andnowshewasn’t.Shewasdead.Amywasn’tactuallysurehowshefeltaboutthat.

“Beatricedidn’tevenwanttobeinvolvedintheCahillfamily,”Danadded.“It’sourfaultshe’sdead,isn’tit?”

Amyturnedtoherlittlebrotherandsawtheseriouslooketchedacrosshisface.HoweverconfusedshefeltaboutBeatrice,shedidn’tfeelatallconfusedaboutherbrother.“Itisnotourfault,”shetoldhimfirmly.“Wedidn’twanttobeinvolved,either,remember?It’stheOutcast.It’shisfault.Don’tforgetthat.Don’tforgetthatforasecond.”

Danstudiedher.“You’reright.Iwon’tforgetitagain.”“Youbelieveme,don’tyou?”Amylookedhimintheeye.Hewasstillshorterthanshewas,but

barely.Hewasgrowing,andfast.Hewasquicklybecominghernot-so-littlebrother.“Ibelieveyou,”saidDan,settinghisjaw.“We’vegottostophim.He’samurderer.”

“We’regoingtostophim,”saidAmy.Danglancedoverhisshoulder.“YouthinkIan’suptoit?”hewhispered.“Leadingthisfamilylike

Gracedid?”Amyshookherhead.“NoonecouldleadthisfamilylikeGracedid.Shewas…special.ButIthink

Iancandoit,ifwehelphim.”Shehopeditsoundedconvincing.“Igotit!”Caracriedout.“TheblimpisownedbyacompanycalledDaedalusEntertainment—and

beforeyouask,Ian,yes,it’sashellcompanyandno,Ican’tfindanythingelseoutaboutit.Theblimptookofffromaprivatehangaronlyfivemilesaway!Andit’sscheduledtolandthereagaininhalfanhour.”

“Weneedtogetthererightaway,”saidIan.“TheHindenburgexplodedwhenitwasdockingafteraflight.Ifthat’swhathehasplanned,wedon’thavemuchtime.We’lltaketwoofJonah’svehicles.”

Jonahhadonlygottenhisdriver’slicenseayearago,buthe’dalreadyfilledaneight-cargaragewithluxuryvehicles.

“Ham,”Ianinstructed.“YouwilldriveDan,Amy,andJonahinthearmoredBMW.CaraandIwilltaketheAstonMartinQseries.”

“Oh,wewill?”Cararaisedhereyebrowsathim.Ianimmediatelyblushed.“Well,Imean,Ithoughtyoucould,perhaps,well,tellmemoreaboutthis,

yousee,the…eh…shellcompanywhilewe…er…drove?”hestammered.Carapattedhimontheback.“Don’tgetallflustered,Kabra.I’llgowithyouintheAstonMartin.

ButI’mdriving.Nooffense,butIdon’ttrustyoutodriveontherightsideoftheroad.”“Iknowhowtodriveanautomobile!”Iansaidbacktoher,hisblushturnedtoredanger.“Yo,Kabra,whydoyougettotakemyAstonMartinQ?”Jonahaskedhim.“That’sthesweetestride

Iown.ThereareonlyfiveoftheminNorthAmerica.”Iannarrowedhiseyes.“Leadershipisagraveresponsibility,”hetoldJonah.“Thereforeitcomes

withcommensurateprivileges.”Helookedathiswatchandthenatthegroup.“Now,let’sgostopadisaster!”

TheblackBMWpeeledoutinfrontofthem,andCarajoltedthesleeksilverAstonMartinQfromthegarageinitswake,careeningaroundthemarblefountaininfrontofJonah’smansion.Shespedthroughthefrontgate,andtheenginepurredlikeawildcat.

“ItextedyoutheGPScoordinatesofthehangar,”Carasaidoverthespeakerphone.“Taketheshortestroute,”Ianaddedfromthepassengerseat.Caragavehimaside-eyelook,which

hedidnotbelievehedeserved.Hewassimplybeingthorough.He’dfound,whenmanagingHamiltonHolt,itwasbesttobespecific.

“YouknowItrainedinevasivedrivingwhenIbecameJonah’sbodyguard,right?”Hamtoldthemoverthespeakerphonefromthecarinfront.

“Iamaware,”Ianreplied.“Sotrytokeepup,”Hamsnappedback,andthentheBMWtookasuddensharpleft,andCarahadto

slamthebrakesandspinthewheelnottomissit.Theybrokethespeedlimitimmediately,hitting65milesperhouronaquietstreetthroughthehills.Hamiltonwoveintotheoppositelanetopassslower-movingcars,andCarafollowed.Iantriednottoclutchthearmresttootightly.HewantedtoimpressCarawithhiscalminthefaceofdangerandhisfaithinherdriving,butinhischesthisheartthumpedsolouditwasawondershecouldn’thearit.

Hamiltonturnedleftandthenaquickrightandanotherleft,avoidingtherushhourtrafficonSunsetBoulevard.

“Don’tlosehim,”IantoldCara.“Rogerthat,CaptainObvious,”shereplied.Hedecidedtokeephismouthshut.Intruth,hewasrelievedshe’dinsistedontakingthewheel.Ian

alwaysdidforgetwhichsideoftheroadAmericansdroveon.Atthenextturn,Caraslammedonthebrakes,barelystoppingintimetoavoidsmashingintotheback

ofHam’scar.Infrontofthemawallofredbrakelightsblockedtheirpath.“LAtraffic,”Hamsaidoverthespeakerphone.Iancheckedhiswatchagain.Heglancedupattheskybutcouldn’tseetheblimpoverhead.“Thereis

simplynowaywecanmakeittothathangarinthenextfifteenminutes,”hesaid.“It’snotpossible.”“IgotJonahfromthepremierofRoboGangstatoanafter-partyinPasadenainlessthantwenty,”

Hamsaid.

Ianhadnoideaiforwhythatwassupposedtoimpresshim,butitdidn’tmatterrightnow.Allthatmatteredwasgettingtothathangar.

“Cara,youreadytodosomerealdriving?”Hamasked.Cararevvedtheengineinresponse.Sheranherhandsalongtheleather-coveredsteeringwheel.“Yo,don’tbreakmyride,”Jonahpipedin,andthentheBMWtookoff,turninghardtowardthe

parkinglotofalargeglassbuilding.Carafollowedhim.Theywovebetweenparkedcars,thenstayedrightbehindHam’scar,knifingdownanalleyandontoasidewalk,andthentookahardleftintooncomingtraffic.

Brakessquealedandcarshonked,butHam’scaraccelerated.Carapressedthegas.“Noguts,noglory!”shesaid,speedingoverthetopofahillandturningintoa

parkinggarageafterHam.Theyraceduponesideoftheparkinggarage,downanother,andburstontotheneighboringstreetwhereshehadtodoajackknifeturntospinthecar180degreesinplace,thenshootlikeabulletdownanotherhill,whichtookthemunderanoverpass.Hamslicedhiscarfromsidetoside,passingabusbypullinghalfwayontothesidewalk,thenreversingwhenhehittrafficonacrossingavenuetotakeadifferentroutethewrongwaydownaone-waystreet.Heturnedintoanarrowalley,whichthrewsparksoffthedoorsofJonah’scarasitscrapedthrough.

IancouldhearJonahgroanoverthespeakerphone.Carakeptup,herhandsgrippingthewheelattenandtwoo’clock.Hereyesscannedthetraffic,the

streets,thesidewalks,andkeptHam’scarinsight.Whataremarkableperson,Ianthought.Shewasmesmerizingandunbelievable,abletohackagovernmentdatabaseanddriveinahigh-speedpursuitthroughLosAngeles.Hefeltfairlyuselessinthepassengerseat,likehewascuttinginonadancebetweenCaraandthecar.Hehadtoasserthimselfifshewastorememberhimatall.

“Watchoutforthatrubbishbin,”hesaid,assheswervedaroundatrashcan.Foolish!Hehadtoofferhermorethanthat!Asheformulatedsomethingelseofvaluetosaytoher,it

tookhimbycompletesurprisewhenshehitthebrakes.Hisbodyslammedagainsttheseatbeltandthenjoltedhimbackintohisseat,whiplashinghisneckintheprocess.

“Whyareyoustopping?”hecriedout,lookingathiswatchinapanic.“Becausewe’rehere,”Carapointedout.Ianlookedupandsawtheyhadstoppedattheperimeterfenceoutsidealargehangarwithaparking

lotandaconcretelandingpadinfrontofit.Thefencewastoppedwithbarbedwireandonlyhadonegateallthewayontheoppositeside.

Theblimpitselfhoveredovertheconcrete,slowlyloweringoverthelandingpad.Itsgiantsilverballoonrippledinalightbreeze,anddustkickedupfromitslandingrotors,whichstabilizedthedescent.

“It’scominginnow,”Iangasped,poppingoutofthecar.HeturnedbackquicklytoCara.“Lovelydriving,bytheway.”

Shenarrowedhereyesathimandheregrettedimmediatelythathe’dsaidanything.Hemeantitasacompliment,butithad,ofcourse,comeoffassarcasm.

Notimetoexplain,though.Itwastimeforaction.HeslammedthecardoorandturnedtotoHam.“Canyougetusthroughthisfence?”

Hamiltongaveaquicknod,bentattheknees,andgrippedthemetalwirewithhisbarehands.He

gruntedandheaved,andthewiregave,bendingjustenoughfromthegroundforthemtoslipunderneath.Theairshipdroppedsixlinesandagroundcrewranouttoholdthem,tohelpbringintheblimp.Ifit

explodednow,theywouldsurelyallbekilled.Ianknewhehadtosavethem.Itwasuptohim,livesinthebalance,andhehadnotimetodillydally.

“Jonah,”Ianbarked.“Youstayherewiththecars.Idon’twantanyonerecognizingyou.Everyoneelse,comewithme.”

Iansprintedaheadtowardthelandingpad,hopingtheotherswouldfollow.This,hefelt,wasleadership,runningfirstintodanger,comewhatmay.Still,heglancedoverhisshouldertodoublecheckthattheywere,indeed,behindhim.

Thegroundcrewwassobusybringingintheflyingmachinethattheydidn’tnoticeIanandtheotherkidsrunningtowardthemuntiltheywereinshoutingdistance.

“Backaway!”Ianwarnedthem.“She’sgoingtoexplode!”Butbythetimetheyheardhim,theblimphadtoucheddown,itsengineswhirringtoastop,andthe

crewstoodface-to-facewithIanashecaughthisbreath.“Howdidyougetinhere?”oneofthemendemanded.“Wehave…togetthepilot…offtheblimp…”Ianpanted.“It’sgoingtoblow!”“Thereisnopilot,”thecrewmantoldhim.“It’sremotecontrolled.Wewerehiredjusttoflyit

aroundforanhour….”Hepointedtothegondolaonthegroundbeneaththeripplingsilverovalabove.“Whoareyoukids?”

Ianignoredhimandrushedforwardtolookinsidethecockpit.Thecrewmanwasright,therewasnopilot.Thecockpitwasjustacontrolboardwithgearsand

leversandtransmitterslinkedtoacomputerterminalfortheremotepilotonthegroundtocontroltheblimp.ButIanwentpalewhenhesawwhatwasattachedtothecontrolboard.

TherewasanotherbrightLEDscreenwithapictureofabrightblueskyandpuffywhitecloudsrollingby.Infrontoftheclouds,aclockcounteddown.Wiresledfromtheclocktoarowofneatlybundledbrightwhiteplasticexplosives.

“Bomb!”heshouted.Amy,Dan,andHamturnedtorun,wavingtheirarmsforthecrewmentobackoff.“Bomb!”they

repeated.“Bomb!”Thecrewmenran.Cara,however,paused.Shepulledoutherphoneandsnappedaphotograph,justasIandoveather,

wrappinghisarmsaroundherwaistandhaulingherontohisshoulders.“Whatareyou—?”sheobjected,butheranwithherasfastashecould,makingitabouttwenty

yardsbeforetherewasaflashoflight,followedbytheroaroftheblimpexplodingbehindhim.

Danhadtastedplentyofdirtinhislife,fromhiselementaryschooldaysgettingpickedonbybiggerkidstothecountlessfalls,chases,andexplosionshe’dsurvivedduringtheCluehuntanditsaftermath.Ifhehadtopick,though,he’dsaythattheLosAngelesdirtwastheworsttasting,andnowhehadamouthfullofit.Hespatoutthegravelandscragglybrowngrassthathe’dtakenfullinthefaceandsatup.

Amywasbesidehim,rubbingherhead.Theotherswerespreadaroundtheparkinglot,wherethey’dtakencoverorbeenknockeddown,slowlygettingtotheirfeet.CarawastangledwithIanforsomereason,andHamhadtwocrewmenpinnedbeneathhismassivearms,wherehe’dprobablythrownthemforprotectionfromtheblast.Hewaslikethat,alwaysputtinghimselfbetweendangerandotherpeople.

RightinfrontofDan,theblimpburnedonthelandingpad.Theexplosionhadrippedthegondolatoshreds,andthereweresizzlingshardsofmetalscatteredallthewaytothehangar.Orangeflamesdancedandcrackledwherethecockpithadoncebeen.ThegashadburnedofffastandleftathickblackcloudrisingintotheheavyLosAngelessky.Itprobablywouldn’tmakemuchdifferencewithallthepollutionalreadyintheair,Danfigured,butstill,thesmellwasprettybad.

“Areyouokay?”Amyaskedhim.Henodded.He’dduckedandcoveredintime.Theconfusedcrewmenstaggeredtotheirfeet.Cara

untangledherselffromIan,andHamhelpedthembothup.Jonahranfromthecarstojointhem,wavinghisarmsintheair.DannoticedthatJonahwasrunningawayfromaheapofburningwreckagebehindhim,ontheothersideofthefence.

“Shrapnel!”theteenagesuperstarcriedout.“BurningshrapnelcrushedmyAstonMartin.”DanrecognizednowthatthatburningheapbesidethefencewasJonah’sonceluxuriouslimited

editionsilverAstonMartinQ.The$350,000sportscarhadbeenreducedtoasmokingheapofscrapmetal.

Jonahshookhisheadsadly.“Shewasabeauty…butyo,whenthatblimpblew,theskylituplikeday.Ithoughtyouguysweregoners.”

“Yetitseemsnoonewashurt,”Ianannouncedproudly.“Apparently,wehavethwartedtheOutcast’sintendeddisasterrathereffectively.SomeHindenburg!ThatexplosionhadnomoreimportthanaminorcrashatoneofthoseairshowsyouAmericansaresofondof.”

SomethingnaggedatDan.Itdidn’tfeelright.Thiswashardlyadisaster.Evenifthebombhadgoneoffwithoutthekids’warning,thesixguysonthegroundmightnothavebeeninjured,andtherewasno

oneonboardtheblimptogetkilled.AndunlikewhentheHindenburgcrashedin1937,therewerenocamerastofilmitsothatkidsahundredyearslatercouldwatchitontheInternetliketheyhadbackatJonah’s.TherehadbeenworseairshipdisastersbeforetheHindenburg,disastersthathadkilledmorepeople.WhatmadetheHindenburgdisasteruniquewasthatithadbeenfilmed.Itonlytookthirty-twosecondstoburnup,butthewholeworldcouldwatchthosethirty-twoterriblesecondsoverandoveragain.

Thislonelylittleblimpexplosiondidn’tseemliketheHindenburgdisasteratall.Thisseemedlikeadiversion.LikethepaintingofthefallofIcarus…everyonelookingthewrong

waywhiletherealdisasterhappened.“Idon’tthinkthiswastheOutcast’sdisaster,”Dansaid.“Certainlyitwas,”saidIan.“Heledusrighthere.”“ButIdon’tthinkhe’sdoneyet.”Danturnedtohissister.“YousaidtheHindenburgwasazeppelin,

right?”“Idid,”saidAmy.“Well”—Danpointedattheburningmoundoffabricandmetal—“thatwasablimp.”“Whatisyourassertion,Dan?”Ianscoffed.Heturnedtotheflamingblimpandopenedhisarms

wideatitswreckage.“ThatwastheblimponwhichtheOutcastdetonatedanincendiarydevice.”Danwrinkledhisforehead.“Abomb,”Caraclarified.“Kabra,speakEnglish.”“Iam!”Ianblurtedinexasperation.“ThatblimpblewupbecausetheOutcastputabombonit.It

burnedonthelandingpadjustliketheHindenburg.”“Exceptitdidn’t,”Danargued.“Becauseablimpandazeppelinaren’tthesamething.”“Ofcoursetheyare,”saidIan.“It’slikehowIsay‘takethelift’whenyousay‘taketheelevator.’

Thewordsaredifferent,buttheobjecttheyrefertoisthesame.”“No,they’renot,”saidDan.“They’rebothairships,alsocalleddirigibles—whichisreallyjustfun

tosay—butblimpskeeptheirshapefromthepressureinsidetheirinflatableenvelopes,kindalikegiantheliumballoons.Theydon’thaverigidhulls.Really,ablimpisjustabiggasbag.”HepausedandlookedIanupanddown.“Youknowwhatthat’slike,Kabra.”

Amyelbowedhimintheribs.Itwasworthit,though,toseeIan’snostrilsflare.“Anyway,zeppelinshaverigidhulls,”Dancontinued.“Frameswithflexiblefabricstretchedover

themsotheykeeptheirshapewhetherthey’refullofhelium,hydrogen,oranyothergas.Nomatterhowmuchthepressurechanges,azeppelinlookslikeazeppelin.That’swhythevideowesawonlinewassodramatic.TheHindenburgkeptitsshapewhenthehydrogeninsidelitup,allthewayuntil…”Hemadeanexplosionnoise.

“Howdoyouknowsomuchaboutairships?”Hamwondered.Danshrugged.Amywasn’ttheonlyonewhowasallowedtoknowstuff.“Thirty-sixpeoplediedwhentheHindenburgexploded,”Amysaid,whichmadeDanfeelbadabout

hissoundeffects.Shehadawayofremindinghimthathistorywasn’tjustcrazystoriesbutwasstuffthathappenedto

realpeople,stuffthatrealpeopledidordidn’tdo.Usually,stuffthatsomeoldCahilldidordidn’tdo.

“TheHindenburgwasoneofthefirstdisastersevercaughtonfilm,”Amysaid.“Itwasthefirsttimepeopleactuallysawthemomentofdestructionanddeathforthemselves,insteadofjusthearingitdescribed.Italsoendedtheeraofairshiptravel.Everyonehadthoughtzeppelinswerethefuture.Theyweregoingtobethemostluxuriousandefficientwayofgettingaroundeverimagined.TherewereevenplanstohaveairshipsdockontheneedleatthetopoftheEmpireStateBuildinginNewYorkCity.WhentheHindenburgburned,itendedanentireindustry.”

“See?”saidDan.“Sothisexplosionwasnothinglikethatone.Therewasnothingfancyaboutthatblimp.”

“Iagree.Somethingaboutthisisn’tright.TheOutcastwouldn’tthinksosmall,”Amysaid.“Ifhewasgoingtore-createtheHindenburgforreal,he’dwantsomethingthatpeoplewerewatching.Somethingthatcouldhorrifytheworldandruinabrand-newindustry.”

“Likespacetravel?”HamiltonHoltsuggested.“Yes,”saidAmy.“Thatwoulddoit.”Hampointed.Abillboardhadbeenpostedalongtheentiresidewallofthehangar.Itshowedanimageofthesky

withanairshipdriftingacrossit—afuturisticzeppelinrisingintospace.Thetextoftheadsaid:

“‘Hewhofliesclosesttothesunwillsurelyfallburningtotheearth,’”Dansaid,repeatingtheOutcast’swordsaloud.

“Theedgeofspaceseemsprettyclosetothesun,”saidHam.“TheOutcastdidsaytheKarmanLinewouldbecrossed,”saidDan.“WhatonearthistheKarmanLine?”Ianwondered.“TheKarmanLine’snotonEarth,”Dantoldhim.“TheKarmanLineisanimaginarylinesixty-two

milesabovesealevelthatmarkstheedgeofspace.ItwasnamedaftertheHungarianphysicistTheodorevonKármán.”

Amyraisedaneyebrowathim.“What?”hesaid.“Spaceiscool.”“Ithinkit’stimewegetoutofhere,”suggestedIan.“We’llallhavetosqueezeintotheBMW.Jonah,

IhighlyrecommendyoureportyourAstonMartinstolenbeforethepoliceshowupatyourso-calledcribwithinconvenientquestions.Andthenwe’llneedtobookyourprivateplane.”

NoonequestionedIan’sleadershipthistime,andtheyallrantogetherforthecar,theonethatwasn’tasmolderingheapofburningjunkintheparkinglot.

JonahandHamlookedattheruinedroadster.“Thisiswhywecan’thavenicethings.”Hamsighed.“GuessIcan’tborrowitformydatenext

week,huh?”Jonahshookhisheadsadly.“Idon’tthinkyourboyfriendwouldbeimpressedbyaheapofburnt

metal.”DanandtheothersallturnedtolookatHamandJonahinsurprise.“Hisboyfriend?”Danwondered.“Oh,right,”saidJonah.“Ifiguredyouallknew.”Hamstaredathisfeet,suddenlyblushing.“Iguesswedonow,”Dantoldhim.“Cool.”Hamlookedupagain.Smiled.“Whenthisisallover,maybewe’llgettomeettheluckyguy?”Amysuggested.Hamnodded,laughing.“Ihatetointerruptthistouchingmomentofacceptanceandcamaraderie,”Iansaid.“Butweare

tryingtopreventakillerfromre-creatingoneofthemostterrifyingaerialdisastersofthetwentiethcentury.Hamilton’sdatinglifeishardlymorepressingthanthat.”

Hamnoddedwithalookofreliefthatthesubjecthadbeenchanged,andheopenedtheheavilyarmoredBMWdoorfortheotherstogetin.Whenhesettledintothedriver’sseat,Ianorderedhimto“steponit.”

TheyhadtogettoAthens,andfast.Accordingtothebillboard,theairshipracetotheedgeofspacewasscheduledtostartinAthens,Greece,theverynextday.

“Youknow,”Danpointedout.“ThefallofIcarustookplaceinGreece,too.”

AstheydrovebacktoJonah’s,IansatwedgedbetweenAmyandCara.Jonahhadinsistedontakingthefrontpassengerseat,or“shotgun”astheAmericanscalledit,withasmuchdignityascouldbeexpectedfromcitizensofacountrywhereonecouldorderabreakfastcalledtheRootyTootyFreshandFruity.Danhadhisheadrestingagainstthewindowopposite,staringupatthesky,andAmyseemedcontenttowatchherbrother.

Ianfeltapangashethoughtofhisownsister,howtheycouldcomforteachotherintheirownwayswhentheysufferedatragedy.Ithadusuallyinvolvedshoppingormockingtheincompetenthelpatmiddle-classhotels,butstill,itwasthespecialcomfortoffamilythathemissed.HewasgladthatAmystillhadherbrother.Hefeltsometimeslikeabrothertoheraswell,likeanolderbrother,responsibleandwiser.Hewishedshesawhimthatway,too.HedidsowanttoprovehimselfaworthyleadertoAmyCahill.

Heshookthethoughtaway.Whatshoulditmatterwhatshethought?Hewasincharge,ashewasmeanttobe,andthatwasallthatmattered.

HeturnedtoCara,whowasstaringdownatherphone.Hefeltapangwhenhelookedather,too.Wasthisthepainofleadership?Hewantedsobadlytokeepeveryonesafe.Especiallyher.He’dnevertellherthat,though.She’dkickhimintheshinsbeforeshe’dlethimthinkhecouldprotecther.

Still,hehadtotry.“Whydidn’tyourunwhenyousawthebomb?”heaskedherquietly.ThelightsofLosAngeles

flickeredonherfaceastheydrove.“BecauseIneededtogetthispicture,”shesaid.Sheheldupherphone.Itwasaphotoofthebomb,

slightlyblurrybecauseIanhadbeentacklingherasshetookit.“I’mrunningitthroughAnarchiNet,adarkimagedatabaseonline.”

“Well,naturally,”Iansaid,althoughhehadnoideawhatthatmeant.“AnarchiNetisonthedeepweb.Notjustanyonecanaccessitorsearchit,butIknowsomepeople

…”Sheletthethoughttrailoff.Shehadadarkside,CaraPiercedid,andoddly,Ianfoundthatsideofhercompellingaswell.

“I’mconfirmingwhatIsuspected,”shetoldhim.“ThisbombtypeisonefavoredbyKGBagentsdecadesago.It’sbeenusedinRussianmafiabombingsaswell.”

“AlekSpasky,Irina’sbrother,wasaKGBassassin,”Iansaid.“Andweknowhe’sinleaguewiththeOutcast.”

IanlookedoverCara’sshoulderouttherearwindow.ThetrafficonthesidestreetstheyweretakingbacktoJonah’swasn’tsobad.Afewcarschangedlanesbehindthem.Oneturnedontothestreet,anotherturnedoff.Nothingsuspicious.Hamwasbeingverycarefultoobeythespeedlimit.

Still,ifAlekSpaskywasfollowingthem,itwouldbehardtotell.Themanwasanexpertatespionageandmurder,andHamiltonHoltwasateenagerwhohadtakenathree-daydefensivedrivingcourse.

“Hamilton,”Iancalledtothefrontseat.“Doyouknowhowtoloseatail?”“Ofcourse,”saidHam.“IhavetoditchJonah’spaparazziallthetime.”“ThenIsuggestyoutakeprecautionsnow,”Iansuggested.“Tobeonthesafeside.”Withoutamoment’shesitation,Hamiltonjerkedthewheel,slammingthebrakesintoaspinand

acceleratingoutofthespinagainsotheyweremovingintheoppositedirectionintheoppositelane.Anyonewhowasfollowingthemwouldhavetodothesameinordernottolosethem.

NoonefollowedandIanletoutasighofrelief.HewasnoteagertocomeacrossAlekSpaskyagain.Thelasttime,theassassinhadnearlykilledthemall.

AstheypulleduptoJonah’shouse,AmyturnedtoIan.“BeforewegotoAthens,Iwanttoknowifanyoneelsethinksit’sstrangethattheOutcastdidallthatjusttogetustolookatabillboard.”

Ianhadthoughtthesamething.“He’snotjusttryingtore-createdisasters,”hesaid.“He’stryingtokeepusbusy.”

“Toobusytofindoutwhoheis,maybe?”Amysuggested.Ianwasimpressed.Amywasaquickthinker.Hewonderedhowshefelt,turningovertheleadership

roletohim.HewonderedifhecouldhavedonethesameifhewereinAmy’sshoes.Ofcourse,hewouldneverbecaughtdeadinAmy’scheapshoes.Heworehandcraftedleather

wingtips.“IftheOutcastwassomeoneGraceexpelledfromthefamily,someonewhohadknowledgeofKGB

sleeperagentslikeAlekSpasky,there’sprobablyaconnectiontoMoscow,”Caraadded.“AndanyCahill-KGBconnectionwould’vehadLucianfingerprintsalloverit.Iftherearecluestowhohereallyis,Ibetthey’reintheLucianstrongholdinMoscow.”

Iansmiled.LeaveittoCaratoconsiderthedeviousconnections.Shehadthekindofcalculatingmindhe’dneedifhewasevertobringallthebranchesofthefamilybackunderhisunifiedleadershipagain.

“I’llcallNellie,”Amysaid,dialingalready.“Hey,kiddo!”NellieGomez’svoicefilledthebackofthecar.“We’rejustthroughcustomsatLAX

andwe’reheadingtoJonah’splacenow.”“Sorry,Nellie,”Amysaid.“Ineedyoutwototurnaround.We’reofftoAthensandyou’vegottoget

thenextflighttoMoscow.WethinktherewillbefilestherethatcanleadustotheOutcast—aKGBconnectiontoanyoneGraceexpelledfromthefamily.”

“Gotit,”saidNelliewithouthesitation,solidasever.Iansmirkedtohimself,admiringNellie’sunquestioningobedience,buthissmilefrozewhenhe

lookedbackdownathisphone.HehadtypedinasearchfortheAirshipXPrizeandhe’dbroughtupanewsarticleaboutthe

competition.Hehadn’treadawordyet,butwithoneflickofhisthumbscrolleddowntoaphotolistofallthedifferentcorporatesponsorsofthecompetingairships.Thethirdonedownsentachillthroughhim.Therewasalargesilverairshipshapedmorelikeasubmarinethanaballoon.Itwasinsomesortofhigh-techhangar,andagroupofexecutivesandengineersposedproudlyinfrontofit.Andinthatgroup,staringupatIan,wasamanwhohadpledgedhisloyaltytotheOutcastandhadlaughedasIanwastossedfromtheCahillmansion.HeworeagraypinstripedsuitthatIanwouldhaverecognizedanywhere.Itwascustom-madeforhimfromrareItaliansilkandhadbeenagifttothemanonhisfortiethbirthdayfromhischildren…IanandNatalieKabra.

Ianwaslookingataphotoofhisfather.Ifamurderousplanwasunderway,hecouldbesureVikramKabrawasapartofit.

Attleboro,Massachusetts

Saladin,thatnightmareofacat,hissedfrominsidehiscrate.TheOutcastnoticedthathehadn’ttouchedthecansofcatfoodhe’dhadleftoutwhilehewasinFlorida.

“Gracespoiledyou,”theOutcasttoldthecat.“Youwillgetnoredsnapperfromme.”Hesmirked,thenpunchedabuttononhisremotecontrol.Aportraitofaseventeenth-centuryduke

overthefireplaceslidtothesidetoreveala46-inchflatpanelscreen.Thescreenswereoneofthemanytechnologicaladvancesthekidshadinstalledwhentheyhadtheestaterebuilt.Hefoundhimselfrathergladtobeinheritingthemansionafterthem.

ThepalefaceandsteelblueeyesofAlekSpaskyfilledthescreen.“Sotheyfollowedtheclues?”theOutcastaskedhim.“Exactlyasyouwantedthemto,”hesaid.“Ilostthem,however,astheywereleavingtheairfield.

WouldyoulikemetoreacquiretheminAthens?”Spaskyasked.“Thereisnoneed,”theOutcastsaid.“Ihaveplentyofagentsinplacetokeepthemoccupied.Ineed

youtogotoMoscow.”“Moscow?”Alekpursedhislips.“Ihaven’tbeenhomeinyears.”“Ithinkyou’llenjoythisvisit,”theOutcasttoldhim.“YouoncetoldmeyouheldAmyandDan

responsibleforthedeathofyoursister,Irina.”“Ido,”Alekresponded.“Well,youwillgetyourchancetotakefromthemsomeonetheycarefor,”theOutcasttoldhim.

“NellieGomezandtheMouradboyaresnoopingintomybusinessandIwouldlikethemstopped.”“Killingtwobirdswithonestone,”Aleksaidwithajoylessgrin.“Three,actually,”theOutcastadded.“It’snotenoughmerelytostopthetwoofthem.Ibelieveit’s

timetotakecareofthatentireviper’snestlurkingbelowtheKremlin.”ThesmilethatbrokeacrossAlek’sfacethistimelookedpositivelygleeful.TheOutcastshutoffthescreenandlettheportraitslidebackoverit.WhileAmyandDanCahilland

theirfriendsscurriedaroundtheworldtopreventagreatandtragicfall,theywouldn’tnoticeasherosehigherthantheycouldeverhaveimagined.

SomewhereovertheAtlantic

Jonah’sprivatejetranintoturbulenceovertheAtlantic.Ianmutteredcursesashetriedtogetthespilledsodaoutofhispants,whileCaratriedtostifleherlaughterathislunatichoppingaround.

AmyreviewedwhattheyhaduncoveredabouttheAirshipXPrize.Itwasaprizemeanttostimulatetheprivatespaceflightindustry.Overthelastdecadetherehadbeencompetitionsforcivilianteamstolaunchsatellites,toinventnewkindsofrocketsandcommunicationsystems,andtocreatethepossibilityforcolonizationonMarsthroughhigh-speedenginesandevenrecyclinghumanwasteintopotablewater.

“Astronautsdrinktheirownpee,”Danobserved.“Well,it’sfiltered,distilled,andsterilized,”saidAmy.“Thisprizehasinventedallkindsof

technologiesandencouragedbillionsinnewaerospacespending.”“Billionsatstake?”saidDan.“ThatsoundsmorelikeaLucianplot.”Ianhadshowedthemthepictureofhisfather,andCara’squicksearchingonlinehadturnedup

OmniaIndustries,aLucian-ownedinvestmentcompany,asoneoftheairshipsponsors.TheywereprettysurethatifaLucianairshipwasthere,noneoftheothercompetitorsweresafe.Luciansweren’tknownfortheirsenseoffairplay,andIan’sfatherwasoneoftheworstofthebunch.HewasalsoopenlyloyaltotheOutcast.Nowtheyknewtheywereheadedintherightdirection.

“Sothiscompetitionisforthehighestsubspaceorbitofapassengerairship,”Amysaid,readingfromoneofthearticles.“TheteamsarealltryingtolaunchairshipsthatcancrosstheKarmanLine.”

“Istilldon’tgetwhyanyonewouldwantto,”Hamsaid.“It’dbeawesomeifoneoftheseairshipscouldpulloffgettingthere,”Dantoldhim,hisfacelighting

up.“See,it’seasytolaunchintosubspace,butit’snoteasytogofastenoughtostaythere.Ittakeshugeamountsofenergytoreachthespeedofeightkilometerspersecondthatyouneedtoorbittheearth.Gravityinsubspaceisalmostasstrongasgravityonthesurfaceoftheearth,soinordertoorbit,youhavetobasicallyfallsidewaysaroundthecurveoftheworldfasterthanit’sspinning.Togetthatkindofspeedtakesallkindsoffuelsandboosterenginesandheatshields…butanairshipusesgasmixtures,right?Soifsomeonecouldinventonethatjustkindofdriftsintoorbitfromtheground,itwouldmakespaceflightsaferandcheaperthananyoneeverimagined.Youwouldn’tneedsuchcrazyspeedtostayup,andbyflyingattheedgeofspaceyoucouldcoverhugedistancesfast.Insubspaceorbititonlytakesaboutanhourandahalftogoaroundtheworld,soitwouldtakejustafewminutestoflytoEurope.YoucouldgotoChinaforlunch,Australiaforajog,andbebackhomefordinner.”

Dantookabreath.Theothersstaredopen-mouthedathim.“Ididn’tknowyouwereintospacetravel,”Amysaid.Danshruggedlikeitwasnobigdeal.Amymarveledatherbrother.Hewasn’treadingthisfromanywhere.She’dseenhisphotographic

memoryatworkcountlesstimesbutneverseenhimgeekoutonsomethinglikespacebefore.Geekingoutwasusuallyherthing.

“Itisamazing,”Amyagreed.“Airtravelcauseshugecarbonemissions,amajorcontributortoglobalwarming.Theseairshipscouldalmosttotallyeliminatethecarbonfootprintofairtravel.Justthinkaboutit.HowmuchcarbondotheCahillsalonepumpintotheatmosphere?Wepracticallyliveon

airplanes.”“Ifyoudon’tlikeit,youcangetoutandwalk,”Jonahjoked.Abumpofturbulencewipedthegrinoff

hisfacealmostinstantly.“There’dbealmostnoturbulenceonanairship.”CaragrinnedatIan.“You’dneverspillsodaon

yourfancypantsagain.”“Idonotwear‘fancypants,’”saidIan.“Iwearsensibleslacksthatfitproperly,andIwillnot

apologizefortakingprideinmyappearance.”“Wow,defensive,”Carasaid.“Imeantitasacompliment.Ilikeyourfancypants.”“Oh,well…”Ianblushed.“Thenthankyou.”“So,guys,nottointerruptthisfascinatingconversationaboutIan’spants,”Danpipedin,“butthere

aresixairshipsinthiscompetitionandwedon’tknowwhichoneisgoingtogoallHindenburgandexplode.”

“What’dtheOutcastsay?”Carawondered.“‘Hewhofliesclosesttothesunwillsurelyfallburningtotheearth’?”

Dannodded.“And‘theKarmanLinewillbecrossed.’”“Hasanairshipeverrisenthathighbefore?”Amyasked.Danshookhisheadno.“Thenthatmustbeit,right?”Caraasserted.“Whichevershipgetstothatlinesixty-twomilesupis

theonehe’sgoingtotarget.Theonethatfliesclosesttothesun.”“ButhowwouldtheOutcastknowwhichshipthatwillbe?”Amywondered.Ianleanedforwardandtappedthearticleonhisphonescreen.“WithmyfatherandtheLucian

leadershipinvolved,youcanbesureitwon’tbelefttochance.They’llhavechosenthetargetandriggedthecompetition.”

“So,”saidAmy,whounderstoodwhatIanwassuggestingabouthisfather’splan.“We’renotlookingfortheairshipthat’sbeensabotaged.”

Iannodded.“We’relookingfortheonlyonethathasn’t.”

Athens,Greece

Jonah’splanetaxiedtoastoponaprivateairstripintheearlymorning.Mistshroudedthehangarandcastthelimoidlingbytherunwayinaghostlysilhouette.ThesuitedmenstandingaroundthelimogaveIanpause.

“Relax,yo.”JonahpattedIanontheshoulder.“Thosearejustthelocalsecurityguysthestudiohirestokeepthepaparazziaway.”

“Howwouldthepaparazzievenknowyouwerehere?”Danwondered.“Wedidn’tevenknowwe’dbeheretenhoursago.”

“TheyalwaysknowwhereJonahis,”saidHamilton.“They’rebetterthananyspyagencyintheworld.That’swhyI,ashisbodyguard,havetobebetterthantheyare.”

“Righton!”JonahgaveHamafistbump,andtheybothopenedtheirhandsandmadeexplosionsounds.

“Itisperhapsinverybadtasteforyoutwoto‘blowitup’rightnow,”Iansaid.“Ian’sright,”saidCara,whichmadeIan’schestswellabit.Shehadherlaptopopenandwas

lookingattheAirshipXPrizepage.“We’vegottostayfocusedontheproblemhere.Todayallsixairshipsaredoingademonstrationflight.NoneofthemwilltryfortheKarmanLineuntiltomorrow,sothisisourchancetofigureoutwhichofthesixshipshe’stargeting.”

“Five,”correctedIan.“IfOmniaIndustriesisbehindoneofthem,thenweknowthatonewon’tbethetarget.MyfathermadeitveryclearwhosesidehewasonwhenhejoinedtheOutcast.Youcanbethe’srunningthisplotfromthatship,whichleavesustwenty-fourhoursandfivepotentialtargets.”

“You’rethinkingweshouldsplitup?”Amyaskedhim.“Itisthemostefficientuseofourtime,”saidIan.“Whileyouinvestigateeachoftheairshipsto

determinewhichtheywillallowtogothehighest,IwillboardtheLucianairshiptoseewhatIcanfindoutfrommyfather’speople.”

“I’mnotsuresplittingupisthebestidea,”Amyargued.“Someoneisgoingtoenduponboardaflyingbombandyou’llbegoingintoenemyterritoryalone.”

Ianbittheinsideofhischeek.WhymustAmyquestionhimallthetime?“Iaminchargenow!”heyelled.“It’smyturn!Whycan’tyoujustfolloworders?Whymustyou

peckatmeallthetime?Peck,peck,peck!”“Kabra,chill.”Jonahtriedtocalmhim.CarajuststaredathimandAmylookedatthefloor,obviouslyembarrassed,butnotforherself.She

hadthenervenowtopityhimformakingaspectacleofhimself.Buthecouldn’tstop.“Ihavemademydecision!”Hesatbackdown,crossinghisarms.“Anyway,aLucianairshipisnot

‘enemyterritory.’Iamtheirrightfulleaderandtheyaremyfamily.Iknowhowtohandlethembetterthananyonehereevercould!Ever!”

“Myonlyquestion,sir,”Amyaddedinmockformality,“ishowdoweevengetontheseairships?There’sahugeprizeatstake.They’renotgoingtojustletsomekidsstrollonboard.And,familyornot,theLucianswillcertainlyknowyou’renotsupposedtobethere,Ian.”

Ianclenchedhisjaw.TryingtogiveAmyCahillanorderwasliketryingtoflaphisarmsandfly:exhaustingandineffective.

She’dneverblindlyfollowhisleadership,andtheotherscontinuedtolooktoherforguidance.Nowhe’dmadeitobvioushecouldn’tcontrolher.HewouldhavetotryadifferentstrategytogetAmytodoashewished,somethinghefoundratherloathsome:He’dhavetoexplainhimself.

“Onepersoniseasiertohidethanfiveorsix,”Ianexplained.“Andwedonothavetimeforallofustoinspecteachshiptogether.Thereislessdangerofbeingdiscovered.ThereisachanceourpresencewillforcetheOutcasttodetonatehistargetearly.Ifwesplitupandoneofthemdoesexplodewhilewearestillinvestigating—”

“Notallofuswilldie,”DanfinishedIan’sthought.Agrimsilencefelloverthecabinoftheplane.Ianhadtosaysomethingtobreakthemoodofforeboding.

“Ibelieveeveryoneofyouiscapableofinspectinganairshipsafelyonyourown.Ihaveabsoluteconfidenceinyou.”

HestaredatAmyandshestaredbackathim.Splittingupreallywastheonlyoptionhecouldthinkof.Itwasn’tideal,butshewasnotofferingabettersolution.

AlleyeslookedfromIantoAmy.“Thatstilldoesn’tanswerhowwe’llactuallyboardeachoftheseships,”Amysaid.AlleyeswentbacktoIan.“Well…”Ianexplained.“Thatiswherewe’llneedJonah’sassistance.”“IcangetmyselfonboardtheairshipsponsoredbyGalacticaToys,”Jonahsaid.“They’rethe

EuropeandistributorfortheRoboGangstaactionfiguresandbabykitchensets.”“Perfect,”saidIan.“Soyou’llboardthatshipandassessitschancesofwinning,butfirstwe’llneed

tousesomeofthatWizardmagictogettheothersonboardtheirrespectiveairships.”“Youwantmetocauseadistraction?”Jonahasked.“Asonlyacelebrityofyourinexplicablerenowncando,”saidIan.“Youknow,sometimesIfeelliketheonlycontributionyouwantfrommeismyfame,”Jonahsaid.

“Like,I’vegotmoretoofferthanjustmakingmyfansriot.”“Yes,yes,ofcourseyoudo,Jonah,”Iandismissedhim.“Perhapsyoucanholdapressconferenceto

telleveryoneallaboutyournewartisticendeavorsinRoboGangsta2.”

“Yo,Kabra,ItoldyouI’mmakingSilentSongnext,”Jonahsaid.“Theoneaboutthemime.”“Wonderful.Yourfanswillbedyingtohearaboutit,”saidIan.“Andwhiletheyareenrapturedby

Jonah’sdiscussionofhisplaceinthehistoryofcinemaandtheunder-appreciatedartofmime,wewillusethedistractiontosliponboardourrespectiveairships.Afterthedemonstration,we’llcoordinateourfindingstoestablishwhichairshipwillbetheOutcast’smostlikelytargetattheKarmanLine.”

“Andthenwhat?”Amyasked.Ianclenchedhisjawsotightarigidlineofmuscleswelledalongthesideofhisface.“Andthenwe

willfigureouthowtostopitfromexploding!”hesaid.“Thisismyplan.Idon’thearanotherone,soifyoudon’tmind,we’vegotanaerialdisasterofhistoricproportionstoprevent.”

EveryonewaitedforAmytogiveaslightnod,asifherapprovalwasneeded,evenCara.ItfeltlikeanicepickhadstabbedIanintheback,buthekepthisfacelockedinwhathehopedwasaconfidentexpression.Leadershipwasnotnearlyaspleasurableashehadimagineditwouldbe.Hehadassumedthatasleader,hiscommandswouldbefollowedwithoutquestionordelay.Hehadneverexpectedsomuch…doubt.HewishedtheotherswouldlooktohimthewaytheylookedtoAmyorevenbetter,thewaytheyhadlookedtoGrace.Shewassomeonewhodidnotabidedoubt.

“Let’sgettoit,”hesnapped.JonahmadeaphonecallbacktoLAsothathecouldarrangehispressconference,andCaraand

Amylookedoverthedescriptionsforeachoftheexperimentalairships,whileDanfidgetedandlookedupatthesky.Iancouldsweartheboyhadasmileformingonhislips.

Ianfeltfarfromsmiling.Astheysteppedfromtheplaneandpiledintothelimousine,hequietlyfearedhehadjustorderedatleastoneofthemtosteponboardaflyingbomb.Ifthingswentwrong,thedeathofoneofhisonlyfriendswouldbeonhishands.Thisishowageneralmustfeelbeforeabattle.

Why,hewondered,wouldanyonewanttobeageneral?Theweightofhislastnamehungaroundhisneck.Wouldhereallybeabletooutfoxhisfather,thecriminalwhohaddisownedhim,disgracedhim,and

joinedacoupagainsthim,themanwhohadtaughtIaneverythingheknewaboutruthlessness?Healsowondered:Ifitcamedowntoit,wouldhisfatherreallylethimfallfromtheedgeofspace,

asDaedaluslethisson,Icarus,fallintothesea?

Moscow,Russia

“Trytoblendintothecrowd,”NellieGomezsuggestedtoSammyMouradastheystrolledamongthetouristsoutsidethecandy-coloredspiresoftheKremlin.Brightredbrickwallsringedthemassivesquare,andthecoolautumnsunshineglintedoffthegoldByzantinedomesthatcappedtheroofsofthefamoustowers.Green-cladceremonialguardsmarchedinformationthroughtheplazaascameraflashesclicked.

“Idon’tthinkI’mtheonewhoneedstoworryaboutblendingin,”SammyrepliedasheliftedNellie’shoodieuptocoverthebrightstreaksinherhair.

“Letmetakeapictureofyou,”shetoldhim.“Itwillmakeuslooklikewebelong.”SheliftedherphoneupandSammystruckatouristypose,tryingtosmile.Nellietappedthefocuson

hercameratothebackground.ShewantedtoassessthesituationattheentrancetotheLucianstrongholdbeneaththeKremlin.TheonlywayinwasthroughtheStateKremlinPalace,amonolithictheaterofglassandwhitemarbleconstructedduringtheSovietera.WhilethegrandandcolorfultowersoftheKremlin’sfamousbuildingswerebuiltbythetsarsinordertoshowcasetheirwealthandtaste,theStateKremlinPalacewaserectedbytheSovietUnion,theempirethatcameafterthem,inordertoshowcaseitspower.

Peoplehadlinedupoutsideitforguidedtours,andpolicestoodbythemaindoorstokeepanyoneunauthorizedoutside.

“Youknowhowtogetinside?”Sammyseemeddoubtfulofthewholecourseoftheirinvestigation.“AmyandDansnuckintotheLucianbasehereduringtheCluehunt,”sheexplained.“We’llgetinthe

samewaytheydid.”“Andwhatdowedothen?”“WedigintothesecretfilestoseewhatwecanfindoutaboutanOutcastwithKGBconnections,”

shetoldhim.“RememberwhatBeatricesaidtousbeforeshewenttoFlorida?”Sammyasked.“ThatGracemade

alotofherenemiesintooutcasts…evenherownhusband.ShesaidGracehadhimassassinated,righthereinMoscow.”

“Thatwasjustaviciousrumor,”saidNellie.“Butwhatifitistrue?”saidSammy.“Look,”Nelliesaidatlast.“We’renotheretoinvestigateGraceCahill’spast.We’rehereto

investigatetheOutcast’s.WhatGracedidordidn’tdohasnothingtodowithit.”“Ihopeyou’reright,”saidSammy.NellieguidedSammythroughthecrowd,beneaththespiresanddomesoftheKremlin,andthey

joinedalineoftouristswaitingtoentertheStateKremlinPalace.Thebuildingloomedoverthem,theglasscatchingthesunlightandglisteninglikeice.Tallasitwas,mostofthestructurewasactuallyunderground.Insidetherewasaworld-classtheaterwhereworld-classactsperformed.

Tonight’sshowwastheTohashiHibachiBrothers,atrioofJapanesebrotherswhocookedelaboratemealsonstage,jugglingshrimpandsushi,tossingknivesandspices,totheooohsandaaahsofthecrowd.Nelliehadalwayswantedtoseethem,butsheknewthiswouldnotbeherchance.Withanyluck,sheandSammywouldslipinside,findwhattheywereafter,andbeonaplanetomeetthekiddosinAthensbyevening.

Shecheckedherwatch.Thetourwouldn’ttaketheminforanothertenminutes.Oncetheywereinside,they’dleavethegroupandsneakintotheLucianbasethroughBalconyBox4,Row3.She’dtypedthetricktoopenthedoorintoherphonesoshewouldn’tforgetit.

Suddenly,Sammypulledherfromthegroup.“Wehavetogo,”hewhisperedashetuggedheraway.“What?Why?”Nelliefreedherarm.“Turnhere.”Sammypulledhertotheleft,awayfromtheticketbooth.“We’rebeingwatched.”Nellieglancedaroundherhoodieandthehaironherneckprickledatwhatshesaw.Therewasa

mantrailingthemthroughthecrowd.Heworealoose-fittingwoolovercoatandwoolwatchcappulledoverhishead,buthisfacewasclear.Hiscoldblueeyeslockedwithhers.Thenshesawasmallsteelroddropfromhissleeveandbegintwirlingaroundhisfinger,fasterandfaster,ablurofmetal.

AlekSpasky,ex-KGBassassin,IrinaSpasky’sbrother,andtheOutcast’smercilessbuttonman,hadwarnedthemthatthenexttimehesawthem,they’dgetoneofhissteelrodsintheback.

WhenNellie’seyesmethisagain,hewinked.Andthesteelrodflewfromhisfingertips.Nelliedove,knockingSammytotheground.Therodwhizzedpastthemandsparkedoffamarble

column,leavingagashinthegrandmonumenttoSovietarchitecture.NelliepoppeduptoherfeetandpulledSammybackuptohis.

“Vandal!”Nellieshouted,pointingatthedamagedpillarandatthemanwiththesteelrod,anotherofwhichwasalreadytwirlingonhisfinger.ShehopedthewordvandalsoundedenoughliketheRussianwordforvandaltogettheattentionofthesurroundingtourists.

Almostimmediately,peoplebegantocalloutforthepolice.Thecrowdswarmedthemysteriousman,shoutingathim.Hebegantoknockthemoff,weavingandchasingafterNellieandSammythroughthecrowd,buthewasoverwhelmedbyangryMuscovitesgrabbingathissleeves.Thepolicebegantomaketheirwayover.

“Iguesshedidusafavor,”saidNellieasAlek’sfacedisappearedintotheswarmingcrowd.“Ifyoucalltryingtokillusafavor,”Sammyreplied.“No,”saidNellie.“Butlook.”Shepointedtothedoorintothebuilding.Theguardsweredistractedbythecommotionoutfront,and

thepolicewerebusytryingtopeelangrycitizensoffthevandal.NellieandSammyslippedinsidethebuildingthathousedtheLucianstrongholdwithoutanyonenoticing.

Theyracedthroughthelobbyandfollowedthesignsforthebalcony.Astheyran,Nelliepulledoutherphoneandfoundtheplaceshe’dnotedwiththecode.Thetheaterwallswereallblondwood,theseatsadeepblue.Itwasn’tlikeoneofthegrandtheatersofEuropeorevenBroadwayinNewYorkCity.Itwashugeandsevereandunsettling,builttoawetheaudienceasmuchasprovideavenueforperformances.

“There’sanorderwehavetositintheseseats,”shetoldSammy.“45231.Doit!”Sammysatinseat4,thenseat5,then2,then3,then1.Therewasasmallclickingsoundbehindthe

curtainatthefarendofthebox.Nellierushedoverandpushedopenasecretpaneldoor.Theyslippedthroughandpulleditshutbehindthem.

TheywereinsidetheLucianstronghold,oneofthenetworkofsecretbasesthatthedifferentbranchesofthefamilyhadbuiltallovertheworld.Fromthisbase,theLucianfamilyhadlaunchedrevolutionsandcounterrevolutions,runvastspynetworks,controlledshadowindustries,andlaunderedill-gottenfortunesofimmeasurablevalue.

NellieandSammyweredefinitelynotsupposedtobehere.Theyraceddownanarrowcorridor.Floorlights,likeintheaislesofanairplane,guidedthemtoa

bankofelevators.Nelliehadnotesfortheelevatorcodeinherphone,too.ShefeltalmostasifshewerechasingDanandAmy’spastassheenteredinthepropernumbersandtheelevatordoorslidopen.TheywhoosheddowndeeperintotheLucianstronghold.Sammychewedhislipnervouslyastheydescended.Nelliepointedattheelevatorwallbehindthem.

“ThekiddostoldmetheysawagiantportraitoftheKabrafamilyonthatwallwhentheysnuckinhere,”shesaid.“IguesstheLucianstookitdown.”

Sammynodded.Nelliedidn’tlikehowquiethe’dgotten.Hemustbeterrified.Shewasn’texactlycomfyherself,butshecould’veusedsomesmalltalktolightenthemood.Instead,shelistenedtotherumbleofthedescendingelevatoruntiltheycametoastopandthedoorsopenedontoanotherlonghallway.

TheybothfrozeastwoLuciansinlabcoatsdisappearedaroundafarcorner,lostintheirownconversation.

Whenthecoastwasclear,NelliecheckedherphoneandledSammytoanotherdoor,whichopenedintoalargeroomcoveredwithfull-sizeportraitsoffamousLuciansfromthepast.Doorsringedtheroom,andshewasn’tsurewhichonetotake.

AmyandDanhadgonetoanofficewhentheywerehere,butshewasaftersomesortofarchiveorfilestorage.Shewalkedtheperimeteroftheroom,lookingattheportraits.ThenearestportraitwasofNapoleon.WhenNelliepushedopenthedoorbesidehisportrait,shesawalongcorridorlinedwithgunsafesandyetmoresteeldoorslockedwithdigitalkeypads.SotheportraitofNapoleonledtothearmory,sheguessed.

ShemovedtothedoorbesidetheportraitofSirIsaacNewton,whichseemedtoleadtoanetworkoflaboratories.

AndthenshesawBenFranklin,afamousLucianwithalonglistofimportantaccomplishmentsin

politics,diplomacy,andscience.HewasalsothefounderoftheLibraryCompanyofPhiladelphia,asubscriptionlibrarywheremembershadaccesstothousandsofimportantbooksanddocumentsforresearch.Hisportraitseemedaslikelyasanyotherintheroomtoleadtoanarchive.

Shepushedopenthedoor.Motion-sensor-controlledlightsclickedonasshesteppedintoalargeroomlinedwithrollingracksoffilesonfloor-to-ceilingtracks.

“Well,wheredowestart?”Nelliewondered.“IguesswelookforO,”suggestedSammy.“ForOutcast?”Nellieshutthedoorbehindthemwithasoftclick.They’dneedtheirprivacy.They’djustsneaked

intothesecretLucianarchivesandtheymightbethereawhile.IftheywerefoundbyLuciansecurity,sheandSammymightneverbeheardfromagain.

Thereweresomanyfilesstoredintheroomthattheshelveshadtobepressedagainsteachotherontracks.Therewasonlyroomtoaccessonerowatatime.Acomputerterminalbythedoorcontrolledtherowstomovethemaroundasneeded.

Nellietappedafewkeysandthescreenshowedaprompttoselectherlanguage.ShechoseEnglish,thentypedintheletterO.

Therewasaloudhydraulichissandtherowsofshelvessuddenlyswungopenlikethepagesofabook,eachmassivesteelshelfslammingintotheoneinfrontofitwithabone-crunchingthudasitflippedtotheappropriaterow.Shecouldonlyimaginesomeunfortunatelibrarianaccidentallycrushedinbetweenshelves.

Whentheshelvesstoppedmoving,thescreenaskedhertoengagethesafetylock.SheclickedYES.Aloudsnapechoedasabardroppedtoholdtheopenshelvesinplace.

SheandSammysteppedforwardandbegantolookthroughthefiles.EventhoughtheywereinMoscow,thefileswereinEnglish.TheLucianswereaninternationalorganizationandtheKabrashadbeentheirleadersforalongtime.NelliefoundherselfactuallygratefulforIan’sconstantBritishisms,likeliftforelevatorandtrousersforpants.TheKabras’unapologeticEnglishnesswastheonlythingthatmadethesearchivesreadableforher.

ShefoundafileheaderthatsaidOutcastsandthensawbeneaththatheaderthreerowsofthickfolders.

SammyspokealoudthethoughtthathadseizedNellie’smind.“HowmanypeopledidGracethrowoutofthefamily?”Nellie’shandstoppedmovingmidwaythroughthefilesasshesawtheletterH.Shepulledbackthe

endofatabtoreadthefullnameonthebulgingfolder:Hartford,Nathaniel.Grace’shusband.Theoneshe’dcastout.TheoneBeatricesaidshe’dputakillorderon.Nellie’s

heartbeatthuddedinherears.Thiswasherchance.Shecouldsneakapeekinthisfileandknowforsurewhetherornottheterriblerumorsweretrue.

Sammyhadsquatteddownandwasriflingthroughtherowsoffilesatthebottomoftheshelf.“Idon’tevenknowwhatwe’relookingfor,”hesaid.“Andwhyhaven’ttheydigitizedtheirfiles,anyway?”

“TheLuciansareparanoid,”Nelliesaid.“Andyoucan’thackaroomlikethisremotely.Inordertostealinformationfrompaperfiles,you’dhavetoactuallybeinhereandriskgettingcaughtbyLucian

security.”“Weknowtheytortureprisoners,”Sammysaid,swallowing.“SoI’dlikenottobeinhereanylonger

thannecessary.”Helookedupather.“Whatdoyouhavethere?”Nelliehadn’tevennoticedthatshe’dpulledtheNathanielHartfordfilefromtheshelf.Itfeltheavy

inherhands.ThecoverhadabigTOPSECRETstampacrossit.ShehandedittoSammy.“Oh,”hesaid,hisfaceinscrutable.“Ijust…”Nelliestarted.Shedidn’tknowwhatshewantedwithit.Didshewanttoknowthetruth

aboutGraceCahill?Couldsomeonewhohadcastoutsomanypeoplefromthefamilyhavedoneevenworse?

“Well,openit,”saidSammy.“We’rehere.Youmightaswellputyourdoubtstorest.IfGraceorderedherownhusbandkilled,AmyandDandeservetoknow,right?Hewastheirgrandfather.Andifshedidn’t,thenyoucanstopwondering.Openit.”

Nellienodded.Sheflippedopenthefirstpageofthefile.Therewasablurryblack-and-whitephotoofahandsomemaninaBurberryraincoat,hisheaddownagainstarainyday.ThenoteidentifiedhimasNathanielHartford,Ekat.HusbandofGraceCahill.Besidethephotoabigredstampread,simply:

ThiswasthemanwhomAuntBeatricesaidhersisterhadmarried,hadquarreledwith,andhadcastoutoftheCahillfamilyagainsthiswill.Herownhusband.CouldGracereallyhavebeensocruel?

Nelliewenttoturnthepageofthefilewhensheheardsomething,atapping,liketypingonakeyboard.Sammyheardit,too.Theyfroze.

Anotherkeystroke.Someonewasintheroom.Someonewastyping.Nellietookawarystepforwardtowardtheendoftherowtoseewhohadcomeinsoquietly.

ProbablyjustaLucianarchivist.Anotherkeystroke,andthenaloudsnap.Thebarthatlockedtherowofshelvesinplacehadgone

backintothefloor.Thesafetywasdisengaged!Suddenly,theshelvesmoved,thefarshelfcrashingintotheshelfbesideit,andthentheshelfbeside

that.Andwheretheystood,theshelvesbegantomovetogether.SammytackledNelliefrombehind,knockingherforwardfrombetweentherowsoffiles,justasthe

shelvesthey’dbeenbetweensmashedtogether,sealingrowOwithadeadlythud.TheNathanielHartford

fileflewfromNellie’shandsandslidacrossthefloor.Nelliewhippedherheadaroundandsawthatshewassafe,andSammy,too.Whenshelooked

forwardagain,itwastoseeashinyblackshoesteponthebrightredcoverofthefile.NelliemetthecoldblueeyesofAlekSpasky,asteelspiketwirlingontheendofhisfingers.

“Helloagain,”hesaid.“Doingsomelightreading?”

Athens,Greece

ThepaparazziwerethefirsttoarriveinfrontofthesmallstageontheAcropolisinAthens,buttheywerequicklyfollowedbytheGreeknewsmedia,localentertainmentbloggers,theinternationalpress,andagrowinggaggleofJonahWizardfans.

TheAcropoliswasahighhillinthecenterofAthens,oneofthemostimportantancientruinsintheworld,acomplexfilledwithtemplestoancientGreekgodsandheroes.Abovethenarrowstreetsofaquietneighborhood,thecomplexcommandedgloriousviewsofthecityandhadoncebeenaplaceofpilgrimageforancientAthenians.ItssoaringcolumnsandiconicmonumentswerevisiblefromanywhereinAthens,andatitscenterstoodthelargesquarebuildingofthetempletoAthenaherself,theParthenon,withwidestonestepsringingacrumblingcolonnade.

IntheclearedareainfrontoftheParthenon,JonahWizardsteppedonstagetoholdhispressconference.

“Yo,what’sup,Athens?”HedidaRoboGangstadancemove,whichsetthecrowdroaring.Immediately,thepressstartedshoutingquestions.

“Whoareyouwearing?”“Doyouthinkyouhavefansinspace?”“WilltherebeaRoboGangsta2?”“Yo,”Jonahanswered.“RoboGangsta’saclutchmovieandI’m,like,crazystokedIgottobeinit,

butmynextfilmisgoingtobeoneI’mproducingmyself.”Thefanscheered,thepresspressed.“IsitanactionmovielikeQuickExit?”theywantedtoknow.“Orahip-hopmusical?Willtherebe

alycanthrope?”JonahglancedaroundtherestoftheAcropolistemplecomplex.Eveninruins,ittookhisbreath

awaywithitsgrandeur.Asthemorningsunrose,thescatteredstonesandbrokencolumnsthatpokedfromthegrassgaveoffagentlepinkhue,andthesquaretemplebehindhimcastitsfirstshadowsonthehill.Everystoneseemedtostretchandglowasthemorningbloomed.

Itseemedinsultingtothegreatartistswhobuiltthissacredplaceforhimtobeholdingsuchaneventinfrontofit.Oh,howJonahwouldhavelovedtotellhisfansabouttheartandpoetryofancientAthens,

theculturalflourishingthatcreatedtheveryplacewheretheynowcheeredforhim!ButnoonewantedtohearthatstufffromJonahWizard.TheywantedtohearhiscatchphrasefromRoboGangsta:“Lookslikeyourfaceneedsaremix,skin-

bag!”Downthehill,onlyacorneroftheOlympieionstood.IthadoncebeenagreattempletoZeus,but

nowamerefifteencolossalcolumnswereallthatremainedoftheoriginalhundredandfour.Theareaarounditwasropedoff,justastheareaaroundtheParthenonwherehestoodhadbeenropedoff,andaroundfourotherofthemostsignificanttempleruinsinthecitadel.

Eachroped-offareawasthedesignatedlaunchsiteforoneofthesixairshipsintheAirshipXPrize.NotonlywouldtheAcropolismakeforstrikingphotographsasthezeppelinstookoff,itwould

highlightthelightnessoftheseairships,howtheycouldlandanywhere,evenamongancientruins,withoutdamagingasinglehistoricstone.

Thesilverovalsofthedirigiblesfloatedovertheruinsofthetemples,heldinplacebytowlinesandattachedtometalstairsthatledintotheirpassengergondolasbeneaththesleekgas-filledhullsthatkeptthemaloft.

ThethrongsofvisitorsandspectatorshadmadeiteasyfortherestofJonah’stravelcompanionstoslipoutofhislimobeforehepulledup.

“Tellusaboutyournextmovie,Jonah!”thepresspleadedwithhim.“Right,”Jonahsaid.“Checkit.It’sastoryaboutamimeandthepoweroftheperformertotranscend

thesilenceofthemodernage.”Hefeltaswellofpride,abouttodiscusshistrueartisticspiritintheveryspotwhereancientGreekshadonceworshippedthegoddessofwisdom,inspiration,andthearts,PallasAthena.

PerhapsthismomentwasthereasonhewasmeanttobecaughtupinalltheCahilldrama,themomenthegottostepoutoftheshadowsofJonahWizard,Hip-HopStar,andbecomeJonahWizard,Artist.

“Sonowerewolf?”areporterasked.“Justmimes?”Jonahshookhisheadandthecrowdseemedtosagwithdisappointment.Thepaparazzistillsnapped

pictures,buthesawfansglancingaround,whisperingtooneanother,andsomeofthereportersstartedtowanderoff.Theydidn’tcareaboutsomeartfilmaboutamime.Theywantednews.Andtheyweregoingtolookforitaroundtheotherairships!

Jonahfelthisphonevibratetwiceinhispocket.ThatwasthesignalfromHam.He’dgottenonboardtheFoldNEatairshipsafely.AnothervibrationtoldhimthatIanhadboardedtheLucianairship.Twodown,threetogo.Heneededtokeepthecrowd’sattentionfocusedonhim.

“Mimesaredope,yo!”Jonahshouted.Theycrowdstaredblanklyathim.Hispocketvibratedthreemoretimes.Carawasonboardherairship,ownedbyaneccentric

MexicanwrestlingbillionairenamedGuapoRamirez.AfourthvibrationtoldhimthatAmyhadmadeitontohership,acooperativeprojectofMITgraduatestudents,themostexperimentalofalltheentriesinthecontest.

TheonlyCahillwhohadn’tsignaledhewassafelystowedawaywasDan.

JonahglancedattheruinsoftheErechtheion,asmallertempleonthenorthsideoftheAcropolis.ThetempleitselfhadbeendedicatedtoAthenaandtoPoseidon,themightyseagod,alsocalledtheEarthShaker.Itseemedagrossinsulttohisgrandeurthatbesidetheruinsofoneofhistemples,DanCahillwastryingtosneakontoanairshipsponsoredbytheunfortunatelynamedenergydrinkGasFlightXtreme.

JonahsawDancrouchedbehindoneofthesixcarvedstonemaidensthathelduptheporchofthetemple.Twooftheairship’screwstrolledaroundtheperimeter,lookingupattheirship.Oneofthemheldaclipboardandstudiedthehull,whiletheotherlookedaround.Hishandswereempty,butonhisbelt,hehadaTaser.

Danwasgoingtogetfried.Jonahhadtowinthecrowdback,hadtogettheirattention,andhadtogetthemeninspectingDan’s

airshiplookinghisway,too.Butwhatcouldhedo?“Weloveyou,Jonah!”agroupofGreekteenagersshoutedupathim.Hewinkedatthem.Thatwas

it!Thepressmightnotcareabouthisart,buthisfanscaredabouthim.“Yo,checkit.Iwannagetrealwithy’all,”Jonahsaidintothemic,loweringhisvoicelikehewas

abouttorevealasecret.Everyoneleanedforward.Eventhereporterswho’dwanderedofflookedback.“SoI’vebeenworkingonmymimemoves,”hetoldthecrowd.“AndIneedyourhelp…to,like,getoutofthisbox!”

Hestartedthecheesiestmimeroutinehecouldcomeupwith,movinghishandslikehewasstuckinaninvisiblebox.Hepoundedonthesides,squishedhimselfdownliketheboxwasshrinkingaroundhim,turnedhimselfintoasquatmini-Jonah,thenwaddledaroundthestageonhisknees.

Itwasaperformanceworthyofabirthdayclown,notthegreatesthip-hopstarandactionheroontheplanet.

Thecrowdburstoutlaughing,camerassnapped.JonahWizard,superstar,washavingsomekindofmimemeltdown.Jonahthrewhisarmsintheairandbrokethesilencewith,“Yo,whyyoulaughing?Idon’twanttobe

ahip-hopmoviestaranymore!Iwanttobeamime!”Hisfanswept.Somefainted.Therewereshrieksastheirheroshredeverylastbitofcoolhe’dever

built.Securityhadtowadeintothecrowdtopreventariot.ThatwaswhenDanboltedforthedockingtoweroftheGasFlightXtreme,tookthestepsthreeata

time,andvanishedintothegreatship’sunderbelly.Momentslater,Jonah’sphonebuzzedfivetimes.Hewasinthemiddleofclimbingonaninvisiblerope.

DanwassecureandJonahwashumiliated.Thepaparazziwantedtoknowwhenhe’dstartperformingatbirthdaypartiesandbarmitzvahs.

Jonahdidn’tcare.Sometimessavingliveswasmoreimportantthanhip-hopcred.

1,000feetoverAthens(andclimbing)

Liftoff!Aloudhornsounded,therewasahissasthegasexpandedintheinflatedenvelopeabovethe

gondola,tetherlinesreleased,andsuddenlytheGasFlightXtremebeganitsascentintotheclouds.Dancouldn’tbelievehiseyesashecrouchedbesideastoragelocker,peeringthroughthebottomof

theairship’spassengergondola.Thetorpedo-shapedtubewasheldtogetherbymetalbandsattachedtothemetalframeoftheovalhullupabove,butotherthanthosethickstripsofwhatDanguessedwasultra-lightweighttitanium,theentirefloorwasmadeofreinforcedglass.Anyonestandingonthegroundbelowastheytookoffwouldbelookingupatthebottomofhisshoes.Hesurehopedthegroundcrewdidn’tseemhim.Hewas,afterall,astowaway.

Danlookeddownpasthissneakers,andhisstomachdidasomersaultasthehillsofAthensdroppedaway,smallerandsmaller,untiltheancientruinslookedlikemodelsonaspectaculartrainset.Amazingly,hedidn’tevenfeelthekindofaccelerationthatpushedastronautsinmoviesflatagainsttheirseats.Hestoodupstraight,justtoseeifhecould.

Thiswasn’tflying,itwaslevitating.Therewereafewmoreloudhissesasthegiantbladdersinsidethemetalframeoftheballoonfilled

withthegasmixture,causingtheshiptobecomeliterallylighterthanairandtostaythatwayasthedensityoftheairchangedthehighertheygot.Inabouttenminutes,they’dburstthroughtheclouds.

Danbentdownagain,pressinghisfaceagainstthefloorsohecouldtakeitallin.Ashewatched,thebig,roundairshipoftheFoldNEatcorporationpoppedthroughthecloudcoverbelow,andnotfarfromit,theovaloftheGalacticaToyCompanydriftedintothesky,followedbythewing-shapedMITairship,whichburstupthoughtheclouds,shiningsilverinthesunlight,risingfasterthantheothers.HeknewAmywasonboardthatoneandalumpcaughtinhisthroat.

Hewasn’tupheretoadmiretheview.HewasupheretofindoutifthisshipwastheOutcast’stargetornot.Ifitwas,hewasascendingtotheedgeofspaceonatickingtimebomb.Ifitwasn’t,oneoftheotherswasridingabombintothesky.LiketheOutcastsaid,“Timeflies.Andsomustyou.”

Butwhichoneofthemwasdueforafall?TheimagefromtheInternetoftheburninghulloftheHindenburgsmashingintothegroundflashed

inhismind.Thatwastheproblemwithhavingabrainthatneverletgoofanythinghesaw.Hecouldn’tgetridof

thehorriblestuff.Oneofthemanydigitaldisplaysinthecorridorshowedtheiraltitude:52,000feetandclimbing.

Theyweren’tbreakinganyworldrecordsyetandtheyweren’teventechnicallyattheedgeofspace,buttheywerehigherthananyairplaneDanhadeverbeenon.

Greatpuffsofwhitecloudrolledovertheoceansandcontinentsbelowhim.Astheminutesstretchedout,Dansawthedarkblueofthehorizonandthelongcurveoftheearthitself.Lookingsidewaysagain,hesawtheblackofspacebeyondthehorizon.Hewasmuchhigherthantheotherairshipsnow.

Helookedbackatthedisplay.56,000feet.Theywereclimbingatabout4,000feetperminute.Thatseemedreallyfasttohim…winninglyfast.

Focusonthejobathand,Dantoldhimself.TheOutcastisgoingtoblowupthewinningairshipandkilleveryoneonboard.It’suptometotrytostopit.Igottastopenjoyingtheviewandinvestigate.

Buthowtheheckwashesupposedtoinvestigatewhenheknewsolittleabouttheactualworkingsofanairship?Spacewascool,butitwasn’tlikeDanwasanengineer.

“It’sawasteofbrillianttechnology,”someonesaid,strollingdownthegangway.“Allthisjustsosometeenagestuntmancansetaworldrecord?”

Danduckedbackbehindthestoragelockerandhopedwhoeverwascomingdidn’tlookdownathim.Therewasnowhereelsetohide.

“That’sthenatureofsponsorship,”awoman’svoicesaid.“Someonehastopayforallthistechnology,andenergydrinksarethefastest-growingsoftdrinksegmentintheworldmarket.Theycouldn’tresistthepublicity.”

“Buttheshipitselfwon’tbebreakinganyrecords,”themancomplained.“Where’sthegloryforus?Alltheotherairshipsareactuallyinthisthingtowinit!”

“Ifwehittwenty-fivemilesabovesealevel,itwillbethehighest-ever-recordedskydiveandthefirsttimeateenagerhasbrokenthespeedofsoundwithouttheaidofanengine,”thewomansaid.“Thatwillsellfarmoreenergydrinksthanwinningsomeaeronauticsprize.”

“Ijustcan’timagineactuallyjumpingfromthathighuporfallingthatfastdown,”themansaid.“Whowouldbecrazyenough?”

“Youhaven’tmethim?”thewomanlaughed.“TheFlyingFalconi!He’sateenagecircusperformer.Theymadehimachild-sizespacesuitandeverything.Hegotintoskydivingtogetoffhismother’salpacafarminNewMexico.”

“Alpaca?”themanasked.“Yes,”thewomansaid.“Awell-bredalpacacanfetchitsbreederover$10,000atauctionand…”Hervoicetrailedoffastheengineersroundedacorner.Danletoutabreath.Sothisairshipwasn’tinthecompetitiontowinit.Theywereinitforabigstunt.Hepulledouthisphonetotexttheothersthathisshipprobablywasn’tgoingtobetheOutcast’s

target,butofcoursethere’dbenosignalthishighup.Hehopednothingwentwrongontheotherairships.TheoddshadjustgoneupthatAmy’sship

wouldbetheonetofalloutofthesky,andiftheOutcastdecidedtodetonateearlyforsomereason,Danwouldn’tevenknowaboutituntilitwastoolate.

Danmadehiswayalongthecorridor,staringdownathisfeettotheearthbelowhim.Hetriedjumpingbutwasdisappointedthatitfeltlikeitalwaysdid.Gravityatthisheightwasstillninetypercentofwhatitwasonthesurface.Youdidn’tgetintozerogravityuntilyouwereactuallyinspace,butstill,he’dhopedthisaltitudewouldatleastmakedunkingabasketballapossibility.

Now,that’sagreatideaforanewextremesport,subspacebasketball.HewonderedifhecouldsuggestittotheGasFlightXtremepeople.

Whenhereachedthecornerofthehall,Danpeekedaroundandsawthemainpassengerarea.Itwasaroundroomwiththeceilingpaintedtolooklikestars.Thefloorwastransparentjustlikeinthehallway,butthiswasnotaspacefilledwithequipmentandstoragelockers.ThiswasaroomforVIPs.Therewerecomfycouchesallaroundtheedgeoftheroom,facingouttowardtheskysothatpeoplecouldsitandwatchtheearthbelow,andinthecenteroftheroom,lookingliketheywerefloatinginopenair,arockbandwassettingup.

IftheOutcastblewupthisairship,itwouldn’tcripplethespaceflightindustrysomuchasthesugarydrinkindustry.

AtthefarendtherewasadoormarkedNOENTRY,whichDanfiguredledtothecockpit.Ithadaprettyserious-lookingkeypadlockandasmallpeepholeforthepilotstopeeroutfrom.Danhadalmostcomeupwithastoryhecouldusetotalkhiswayinandhavealookaroundwhenthedooropenedandawomancameout,lockingthedoorbehindher.

Shewasasevere-lookingolderwomanwithdarkhairpulledupintoabun,heldinplacebysharpmetalpins.Danrecognizedherimmediately.

MelindaToth,ruthlessLucianmillionaireandcloseallyofVikramKabraandtheOutcast.Hisbloodfrozeandhefelthischesttighten.MelindaToth’seyesscannedtheroomandDanduckedbackaroundthecorner.Hadsheseenhim?Danpeekedbackaroundthecornercarefully.MelindaTothwaslookingrightathim.Shepulledone

oftheneedle-sharppinsfromherhairandhelditconcealedinherhand,smilingpolitelyattheotherguestsasshemadeabeelineforDan’scorner.

Well,changeofplans,hethought.Thisairshipwassafe,butDanwasn’tsafeonit.

80,000feetoverAthens(andclimbing)

Danran.Heracedbackthewayhe’dcome,hissneakerssqueakingontheglassfloor.Thehallwaycurved,andherealizedtheentirethingwasjustabigringthatranaroundtheoutsideofthegondola,withthemainroomandthecockpitinthecenter.Ifhekeptrunningstraight,he’denduprightbackwherehestarted,rightbackwithMelindaToth.Forallheknew,she’dturnedtheotherwayandwasgoingtocuthimofffromthefrontandjabthatneedleofhersintohisneckjustforthefunofit.

Heneededtogetoutofthishallway.Therewerethreedoorscominguponhisrightandhegrabbedthehandleofthefirstone.Locked.Thesecondonewaslocked,too.Justashereachedthethird,itswungopenandaboyjustalittlebitolderthanDanrushedout,knockinghimbackwardintotheoppositewall.

“Sorry,pal,”theguysaid.Hisfacelookedpale,hiseyeswidewithterror,probablynottoounlikeDan’sfaceatthemoment.TheboyhadonaT-shirtwithhisnamestitchedacrossthechest.FALCONI.

Thiswasthekidwhowasabouttojumpfrom135,000feetupintheskyandbreakawholebunchofworldrecords.

“You’re—”Danwasn’tsurewhattocallhim.Didheuse“theGreat”insteadofafirstname?HelookedrightdownatDanonthefloorandshookhishead.“I’mnobody.Igottagetoutofhere.

Thisiscrazy.135,000feet?I’mnotdoingit.Noway.Nonononoway.TellthemIquit,okay?Just…Iquit!”

Withoutanotherword,theboyranawayintheoppositedirection,hissocksslippingonthefloorashedisappearedaroundthebendinthehall.Hedidn’tevenoffertohelpDanup.

But,Dannoticed,thedoorhe’dcomeoutofwasstillopen.Heheardtheclick,clickofMelindaToth’sheelsonthefloorcominghiswayandpushedhimselfup

anddovethroughthedoor,slammingitshutbehindhim.Hepantedandforcedhimselftoslowhisbreath,tostaycalm.

Hefoundhimselfstandinginanarrowlockerroom.Therewerethreeopenlockersalongonewallandtwodoorsalongtheother.OnedoorwaslabeledTOILET.TheothersaidAIRLOCK.Therewasafoldingchairinbetweenthem.

Thefarwallwasawindowfromfloortoceilingthatshowedthecloudsoverthecurvingearthandthevoidofspacebeyond.

Danturnedtolockthedoorhe’dcomethrough,butithadnolock.Whatkindoflockerroomdidn’thavealock?Itwasrightthereinthename,LOCKerroom.

Heconsideredclimbingintooneofthelockerstohide,buthe’dhavenowaytoescapeifTothfoundhim.He’dbekilled,stuffedinsidealockeronboardanenergydrinkairship.Hehadmoredignitythanthat.

Maybehecouldhideinthetoilet.Angerflaredupinhim.Hehadcometoofar,facedtoomanydangers,tohideinatoilet.Hehadthesuddenurgetostepbackintothathallway,confrontMelindaToth,andfight.Hecould

overpowerherandforcehertoconfessalloftheOutcast’splans.Buthehadtobepractical.Hewasn’tHamiltonHolt.Dancouldn’tknockanyoneoutwithasingle

blow,andonejabwiththatneedleofherscouldkillhim.Lucianswerefamedfortheirpoisons,andyoudidn’tgettobeaspowerfulasMelindaTothwithoutdroppingafewbodiesalongtheway.

Dangrabbedthefoldingchairandusedittowedgethedoorclosed.Helistenedcarefully.Click,click.Click,click.Shewasgettingcloser.Click,click.Shepassedbythedoor.Click,click.Danexhaledwithrelief,butthen,theclicksstopped.MelindaTothcameback.Theknobrattled.She

pushedthedoor,butthewedgedchairstoppeditopening.“DanCahill?”shesaid.Danleanedharderonthedoor.“Iknowyou’reinthere,Dan,”shesaid.“Openup.Ipromise,Iwon’thurtyou.”Shepaused.“Well,

itwon’thurtforlong.”Sheshovedagain.Thedoorshook,butthechairheld.Itwouldn’tholdforeverthough.Heglancedbackandsawabrightredjumpsuithangingfromahookinthefirstlocker,ahelmet,and

ahigh-techparachutepack.HelookedoveratthesignacrosstheroomthatsaidAIRLOCK.Heknewwhathehadtodo.Thedigitaldisplayabovethelockersgavetheiraltitude:90,000feet,whichwasabout17miles

abovethesurfaceoftheearth.Andclimbing.Danfelthisstomachsinktohissneakers.TherewereonlytwowaysoutofthisforDan:inabody

bagorinaparachute.

55,000feetoverAthens(andclimbing)

OnboardtheFoldNEatairship,HamiltonHoltfeltoutofhiselement.HewasdressedtoblendintothebackgroundasJonah’sbodyguard—darkslacksandawhiteshirt.HewasusedtoblendingintothebackgroundbehindJonah,onlymakinghimselfnoticeablewhenhesawathreattohiscousin,butJonahwasonadifferentairshipandHamwasonhisown,severalmilesabovetheMediterraneanSea.

Hamhadslippedontotheshipeasilyenough,butbeforeheknewwherehewasgoing,he’dbeensweptintoacrowdofmeninsuitsandwomenindresses,andnowhestoodawkwardlyinthecenterofaroundlounge,tryingtolooklikehebelonged.TheloungefloorwascoveredindarkbluecarpetingbuthadcleardiscsofglasscutintoitliketheholesinSwisscheesesopartierscouldglancedownattheworldbelow.

OneglancethroughtheholeswasenoughforHamiltonHolt.Theearthspinning;thecloudsdrifting;andtheblack-and-blue,deep-bruisecolorofspacedizziedhimtothinkabout.Hedidn’tlikedangershecouldn’tlift,run,orpunchhiswayoutof.Coldsweattrickleddownhisspine.Hisstrengthwouldn’tbemuchuseiftheOutcastblewthisshipupwithhimonit.

“Getittogether,Holt,”hewhisperedtohimself,andtriedtoignorethefeelinginhisstomachlikeathousandbutterfliesfightingacagematchtothedeath.

Awaiterinatuxedopassedby,servingsomekindofmeat-stuffedpastryoffoneoftheFoldNEattrays.Hamdidn’twanttostandout.Hehadtolooklikehewassupposedtobeatthisfancyparty,sohegrabbedtwoofthepastriesandshovedthemintohismouth.

Postersandadsallovertheroomscreamedoutthesloganofthecorporatesponsor:FoldNEat:TheWorld’sMostIndestructibleAirlineSnackTray™#Unbreakable

Hegrabbedonemoremeatpiebeforethewaitergotaway.Thebutterfliescalmeddownnowthatthey’dbeenfed.

AsHamchewed,hetriedtofigureoutwhathewassupposedtodo.HewishedIan’sinstructionshadbeenmorespecific.Howwashesupposedtodecideifthisairshipwasmorelikelytogohigherthananyother,thusmakingittheOutcast’starget?Whatifthatwasn’thowtheOutcastwaschoosinghistarget,orwhatifhe’dtargetedallofthem?

Hamhadnowaytoknow.But,afterservingalongsideJonahincountryaftercountry,movie

premiereaftermoviepremiere,Hamknewhowtowatchacrowdtolookforsuspiciousactivity.He’dspottedthekindlylookinggrandmotherinPariswhowasactuallytryingtostealJonah’ssunglassestosellontheInternet,andhe’dseenthedangerinagroupofnine-year-oldsinDubaiwhowerebeingpaidbythepaparazzitoreporteverytimeJonahwenttothebathroom.

SoHamwasn’tgoingtoinvestigatetheblimp—er,airship;hewasgoingtoinvestigatethepeopleonboardtoseeifanyofthemlookedsuspicious.

Butfirst,anotheroneofthosedeliciouspastries.Hegrabbedtwomoreandstuffedthemintohismouthashestartedhissecurityassessmentofthe

passengers.Mostofthemlookedlikeaveragebusinesspeople,juniorexecutivestryingnottogetcaughtpickingtheirnoseswhentheythoughtnoonewaslooking,seniorexecutivesnotcaringifanyonecaughtthempickingtheirnoses,andwaitersrunningtoandfrowiththeirindestructibletraysservingchampagneandappetizersand—whatwasthat?Miniaturelambchopsingarlicmintsauce?Yes,please!

Hamgrabbedonewitheachhandoffthetrayasthewaitersailedpast.Justashefinishedgnawingthemeatoffthesecondchop—andrealizinghehadnoideawhattodo

withthebones—hecaughtsomethingfromthecornerofhiseye.Therewasanervousmanwithabushymustacheholdingabriefcasesotightlyitmadehisknuckles

white.Hewastheonlypersonintheroomwithabriefcase,andhewastheonlypersonnottalkingtoanyone.Hampivotedslightlytowardhimtogetabetterview.ThemanwasskulkingclosetoalockeddoorthatreadAUTHORIZEDPERSONNELONLYinfourdifferentlanguages,andhekeptcheckinghiswatch.Sweatbeadedontheguy’sforehead.Hamnoticedaslighttwitchoftheman’seyetowardawomaninanavybluesuit.

HammovedhisgazetothewomanasshelaughedatsomejokeaportlyFoldNEatsalesmanhadjustmade.Withoutsomuchasacrackinhersmile,shegavethenervouslittlemananodacrosstheroom.Themanmadehismove,slidingthroughthemarkeddoorandvanishingintothebowelsoftheship.

Thiswasit!Hemustbethesaboteur!ThemanlookedsoshakyHamcouldprobablytakehimoutwithbothhandstiedbehindhisback.

Hamrushedforward,knockingelegantlydressedpeoplefromhispath,crashingthroughthepartylikeabatteringram,andburstthroughthedoor.

ThenervousmanwiththemustacheglancedoverhisshoulderinsurpriseandHamcaughthiminafewstrides,tacklinghimbesidealargecateringrackofplastictraysloadedwithstuffedmushroomcapsreadytobeserved.

“Oooof!”saidtheman.“Whatareyoudoing?”“I’m—”That’swhenHamrealizedhehadnoideawhathewasdoing.Hewassupposedtoidentify

thesaboteur,nottacklehim.IfthismanwasstoppingtheshipfromreachingtheKarmanLine,theycouldscratchtheshipofftheirlist.

Butifhewasplantingabombtoblowitup,thenHamiltonHoltcouldendallthisandsavetheday!Foronce.

Hesnatchedtheman’sbriefcaseandhelditupashedrovehiskneeintotheman’sback.“Whatisthis?”Hamdemanded.“Whodoyouworkfor?”“FoldNEat!”themancriedout.“IworkforFoldNEat!”

“Andwhat’sinthiscase?Isitabomb?”“Abomb?”themancriedout.“Whowouldbringabombontoashiplikethis?Areyoucrazy?I

designsnacktrays!”“We’llseeaboutthat,”saidHam.Withallhisstrength,hepriedthetwosidesofthecaseapart,

snappingthelockandpullingthecaseopen.Inside,hesawneatrowsofwhitesquaresarrangedintworows,fiveperrow.Itremindedhimof

thebombfromtheblimpinLosAngeles.Plasticexplosives.Hisheartpounded,butheknewwhathehadtodo.HamsnatchedaFoldNEattrayfromtherack,dumpingthemushroomcapsonthefloor.Thenhe

raisedthetrayoverhishead.Themanflinchedlikehewasabouttobestruck,butHamslammeditintothewindowbesidethemwithallhismight.

Aspiderwebofcracksformed.Hehititagainandthewebgrew.Thetraysreallywereindestructible.Thewindownotsomuch.

“Whatareyoudoing?”themanshoutedfromthefloor.“Savingyourstupidlife!”Hamyelled,andbroughttheindestructibletraydownonthereinforced

glasstwomoretimesuntilitshattered.Therewasaroarofair,analarmsounded,andHamiltonHoltthrewthebriefcaseoutintotheupper

atmosphere.Hamfeltthewholeairshiptilt.Hisearsburstwiththepressurechange,oxygenmasksdroppedfromtheceilingallalongthehallway,andherealizedhehadn’tquitethoughtthroughtheconsequencesofopeningawindowat55,000feetintheair.

“Mysamples!”thenervousmanyelledastheairshipbeganmakinganemergencydescent.Asteeldoorslammedshutovertheshatteredviewingwindow,stoppingtherushofairoutofthe

ship,anditbegantorightitself,thepressureinsidereturningtonormal.Ham,however,hitthefloorheadfirst.Fivehulkingsecurityguardstackledhimandheldhimpinnedinplace,justashe’dheldthemanwith

themustachemomentsearlier.“Whydidyouthrowmysamplesoutthewindow?”themandemanded.“Your…samples?”Hamchokedout.“ThenewFoldNEatplastic!”Themanthrewhisarmsintotheair.“Iwastounveilthesamplesat

thisparty!Nowthey’regoneandourshipisdamaged!Whoareyou,boy?DidStowNSnacksendyou?SeatNEatIndustries?Tellme!Whosentyou?”

“Whosentme?”Hamwasconfused.“Yes!You!Anindustrialsaboteur!”themancriedout.“Keephimincustodyuntilwecanturnhim

overtotheauthorities,”themanorderedthesecurityguards.“Wewillfindoutwhohastakenusoutofthecompetition,andwewillmakesuretheypaythroughthenose!Youdonotcrossthelargestsnacktraymanufacturerintheworldandgetawaywithit!”

“I…”Hamiltoncouldn’tspeakwiththebootonhisthroat,butashelookedupatthecrowdgatheringinthehallwaytocatchaglimpseoftheintruder,hesawonefamiliarface.TobyGriffon—famousarchitect,Janusleader,andoneoftheOutcast’sallies—stoodbehindajuniorexecutivefrom

FoldNEat.HemadeeyecontactwithHam,thensmiled.Thankyou,TobyGriffonmouthedsilentlytoHam,whorealizedhe’djustdonetheOutcast’s

sabotageforhim.Nowhehadabootonhisneck,hewasunderarrest,andhisfriendswerestillindanger.Oneofthemwasstillonaflyingbomb.

70,000feetovertheAthens

AmywasamazedbythestudentsaboardMIT’sSubspaceCooperativeAirship—whichtheycalledtheSCA.Theengineersandofficersweregraduatestudents,andtherestofthecrewlookedlikeundergrads,notmucholderthanshewas.FromwhatAmycouldtell,theoldestpeopleonboard—theprofessors—wereonlythereasadvisors.EventhecaptainwasaPhDcandidatewho’dtrainedforherpilot’slicense.Ifitweren’tforCahillfamilyintrigue,Amycouldbeoneofthesestudentsinafewyears.Hercuriositycouldbeatoolfordiscoveryandimaginationratherthanonefordestructionorsalvation.Shecouldbe…normal.

Thethoughtdidn’tthrillherlikeitusedto.Hergrandmotherhadn’twantedanormallifeforherselforforhergrandchildren.GracehadchosentothrustAmyandDanintothefamily’ssecrets,andtryasshemighttobefreeofthem,Amyhadtoadmittherewasarushtoitall.Whoelseheragehadexploredancientruins,dashedthroughthehallsofpower,foiledglobalplots,andnow,chargedtowardtheedgeofspace?NormalwasnotsomethingAmyaspiredtoanymore.

Notevenalittle.Shehidbehindalargewaterfilterandwatchedthestudentsbustletoandfroastheairshipliftedoff.

Theyshoutednumberstooneanother,cheeringwhencertainnumberswerecalledout,laughingatobscurephysicsjokes,andcelebratingtheirsuccesswhentheyhit70,000feetabovesealevel.

“Holdsomethingbackuntiltomorrow,Cap’n,”oneofthestudentscalledout.“Wedon’twanttosettherecordonthefirstday!”

“Yeah,lettheothersunderestimateus!”anotherstudentcalled.Thecaptainseemedtoanswerwiththehissofthegasmixturesintheballoonabovethecabin.Amy

sawtheiraltitudeonadisplayscreenstoprising.Theysettledbackdownto68,000feetabovesealevel.“Alllevelsareholding,”anengineershouted.“Rogerthat,”thecaptainsaidoveraloudspeaker.“We’relookinggoodfromuphere.”AredheadinanMITwindbreakerandbluejeansstoodinthecenterofthefloorandspoketothe

crew.“Seriously,guys,you’veworkedsohard,Ithinkweshouldallbeproud.Ifyoudoyourjobs,bythistimetomorrow,we’llhavenotonlysetaworldrecordforsubspacetravelandwontheAirshipXPrize—”

Everyonecheered.“—butwe’llhavegivenbirthtoaneweraofefficient,eco-friendly,safe,high-speedtransitthat

couldrevolutionizethewayhumanitymoves.InthetraditionofdaVinci,theWrightBrothers,Einstein,Gates,andJobs,weareallpartofateamthatisreimaginingthefuture.Allofus!Together!”

Thecrowdcheeredagain.“Exceptforyou!”theredheadsaid,andpointedstraightatAmy’shidingspot.“Youcanstepout

now.I’veseenyou.”Amyfeltherbloodruncold,butshesteppedoutsheepishly.“Youdon’tbelonghere,”theredheadedgirlsaid.“I’m—I’mjustanob-ob-observer,”Amysaid.“AndI’mjustthecrewchief,”theredheadsaid.“Iknowyouaren’tsupposedtobeonboard.So

whydon’tyoutelluswhoyouareandwhatyou’redoinghere?Wedon’tappreciatestowaways.”Amywonderedwhatwouldhappenifshetoldthemthetruth.Shefeltcertainthesestudentshada

goodchanceofwinningthiscompetition,whichwouldmakethemtheOutcast’slikelytarget,eventhoughtheywerenowhereneartheKarmanLine.Thatwasat327,360feetabovetheearth’ssurface.Blowingupthisshipnowwouldn’treallymatchthecluesthattheOutcasthadgiven.

But,Amywondered,whywastheOutcastgivingthemclues,anyway?Ifhereallywanteddisasterstohappen,hecouldjusttellthemnothing.Itseemedlikehewastryingtokeepthembusychasinghistrail…buttowhatend?ThatAmystilldidn’tknow.

Andshewantedto.Whatsheneededwasmoretime,andshe’dalreadystoodinfrontofthesestudentswithoutsaying

anythingforlongenough.Sometimesthebestwaytobuytimeforaliewaswithsomepieceofthetruth.“Iadmit,Iamastowaway,”shetoldthem.“MynameisAmyCahillandI’mherebecause…well

…Iloveexploration,andthiswastheonlychanceIcouldimaginetoseesomethingmostpeoplemyagehaveneverseenbefore:historybeingmade.”

“Youthinkwe’remakinghistory?”theredheadasked.Amynodded.“Ido.”“IknowAmy,”agirlinamatchingMITwindbreakerannounced.“She’sanoldfamilyfriend.”Amylookedatthegirlinthewindbreaker,whohadthenameErieleCienfuegosstitchedontoher

jacket.AsfarasAmyknew,she’dneverseenthisgirlinherlife.“MygrandparentsinManilaknewhergrandmother,”Erielesaid.ShegaveAmyawink.“Wecantrusther.”

“Youvouchforher?”theredheadasked.“Ido,”saidEriele.Theredheadshruggedandorderedeveryonebacktotheirposts.“We’regoingtotesttherotational

axisthrust,”sheannounced.ShelookedatAmyandEriele.“TellyoungMs.Cahillthatifshegetsnauseatedeasily,sheshouldprobablygotothebathroomnow.Inaboutfiveminuteswe’llbespinningataboutfiveg’s.EvenNASAastronautspukeatthatspeed.”

“Thanks,Katlyn.”ErielesmiledsarcasticallyuntiltheredheadnamedKatlynleftthemalone,thensheturnedtoAmy.“Don’tworry,we’llgetyoustrappedinsafelybeforethemaneuver.”

“Thanksforyourhelpthere,”Amysaid.“ButIdon’tknowyou.Didyourparentsreallyknowmygrandmother?”

Erielenodded.“GraceCahillwasanamazingwoman,”shesaid,thendroppedhervoicetoawhisper.“EvenweLuciansrespectedherleadership.”

“You’rea—”“Yes,”Erieletoldher.“Don’tbenervous.NoteveryoneisontheOutcast’sside.”“Butwhatareyoudoingonthisairship?”Amywondered.“Icouldaskyouthesamequestion,”saidEriele.“Infact,Ihaveto.ShouldIbeworried?”AmyhadtodecideifshetrustedthisLucianstranger.ALucianonboardacompetingairshipwas

notagoodsign.CouldErielebesettingupthebombatthisverymoment,keepingAmyateasetopreventherfromdiscoveringit?OrwasshemakingsurethisshipdidnotreachtheKarmanLine…whichmeantoneoftheothershipswasthetarget?

Eitherthisshipwasgoingtoexplodeoritwasn’t.TheonlyonewhomightbeabletogiveheranideawasEriele.Shehadtokeepthegirltalking.

“Ithink…”Amybegan,butjustthenanalarmsounded.“Arewestartingthespin?”sheasked.“No,”Erielesaid,worryetchedacrossherforehead.“That’stheemergencylandingsiren!”Amytensed.Wasthisit?Wasthisthedisaster?Theairshipbegantodroprapidly.Amygrippedthewallbesidehertobraceherself.“Allright,team.”Thecaptain’svoicecameovertheloudspeaker.“We’remakinganemergency

descentbacktoAthens.Allflightsareonlockdown.Apparently,there’sbeenanattackonboardoneoftheships.”

Amy’seyessnappedopen.Itwasn’tthisship.“Oh,no!”Amy’sheartracedatthethoughtofCaraandIanandHamiltonandJonah,andmost

horribly,Dan.“Ohnoohnoohno.”“SomejokerthrewabriefcaseoutthewindowoftheFoldNEatandwe’reallgroundeduntil

furthernotice.”Thecaptainlaughedoverthespeaker.ThecrewgroanedandAmy’sadrenalinesettled.Herhandsstoppedshaking.Itwasn’ttheOutcast’s

disasterunderway,itwasHamiltonHolt’s.

Moscow,Russia

AleksatontheedgeofalargesteeldeskoppositeNellieandSammy,whomhe’dhandcuffedtothechairshe’dpushedtheminto.

“Didyouhaveachancetoperusethefile?”heasked,gentlywavingtheNathanielHartfordinNellie’sdirectionsothebreezeofthefilemadeherhairsway.Hemovedwiththecoolgraceofadancer,everygesturedeliberateandcontrolled.“ShallIenlightenyou?”

Hesmiledandopenedthepages.Hehelditupthewayelementaryschoolteachersholduppicturebooksduringtheread-aloudtime.

TherewereafewmorephotosofthehandsomemanshoppingforflowersinaCambodianmarket,drivingamotorcyclethroughBeijing,andlaughingwithayoungerGraceCahillonabench.TheyoungerGraceCahilllookedsomuchlikeAmythatNelliegasped.

“Thesearesurveillancephotos,”Alekexplained.“TheKGBwaspursuingNathanielHartfordasapossibledoubleagentduringtheColdWar.”Heturnedthepage.“Sadly,theydeterminedhewasincorruptible.”

NelliethoughtshedetectedatouchofadmirationinAlekSpasky’svoice.“Ah,nowtothegoodstuff,”Aleksaidasheturnedtoanotherpage,readquietlytohimself,thenheld

upthefileforthemtosee.Acrossthetopofamemo,writteninEnglish,ranabigredstampthatsaid:

“MerelyreadingthismemocouldmakeapersonanOutcast,”Alekobserved.HeraisedhiseyebrowsatNellieandsmirked.“Iamwillingtoriskit,Ithink.You?”

“Whyareyoushowingusthis?”Nellieasked.“Isthisoneofthosethe-bad-guy-reveals-his-plans-before-he-kills-usmoments?BecauseIshouldtellyou,thosesortsofthingsneverendwellforthebadguy.”

Alekcrackedhisnecktotheleftandthentheright.Herolledhisshouldersback,thenstood.Thecalmofhisfacehadtransformedtoared-hotrage.“Iamnotthebadguyhere,NellieGomez.Youare.”

Nellienarrowedhereyesathim.“Ifnotforthelotofyou,mysister,Irina,wouldstillbealive,”hetoldher.Hishandshookwith

anger.“Irinadiedahero!”Nellietoldhim.“ShediedsavingAmy’sandDan’slives.She’dbedisgustedto

seewhatyou’redoingnow.”Alekraisedahandasiftoslapher.Nelliebracedherself,butheregainedhiscalmandlethishand

fallagaintohisside.Hestraightenedhisshirt.“Andyetsheisnothere,”hesaid.“IhadnodesiretogetinvolvedwiththeCahillfamily.Thatsort

ofintrigueneverexcitedmelikeitdidIrina.IworkedfortheKGB,ofcourse,anddidmydutytoMotherRussia,butasfortheLucianbranch?Pffft.”Hewavedhishandintheairlikehewasswattingflies.“Ineverhadanyinterest…untiltheOutcastcametomeandofferedmeachancetoavengeIrina’sdeath.”

“Soyouaregoingtokillus?”Nellieasked.ShecouldfeelSammyshiftinhischairbesideher.ButshehadtofocusonAlek.Themoretimehespenttalking,themorechancetherewouldbeofescape.Ifhewastalking,hewasn’tkillingthem,andtheformerwasdefinitelypreferabletothelatter.

Alekflashedheraninsinceresmile.“Now,ifyou’llpleasereadthismemo,Ithinkallwillbecomecleartoyou.”

Heheldupthefile,andNellieandSammyleanedforwardinunisontoread.Astheyread,Nelliefeltachillrisingupherspine.Themoresheread,thecoldershegot.

Alekflippedthepagesilently.ThenextpageofthefileshowedanarticlefromanewspaperthatdescribedtheaccidentaldeathofaMr.NathanielHartford,latehusbandofGraceCahillofAttleboro,Massachusetts.

“‘Mr.HartfordwassaidtohavediedwhiletravelingonaculturalexchangemissioninMoscow,’”Alekread.“‘SeveralwitnessesreportedseeinghimsliporperhapsbeshovedintothefreezingMoscowRiver.Heneversurfaced,andthoughhisbodywasneverfound,Russianauthoritiesdeclaredhimdead,asnoonecouldsurviveintheicywatersoftheMoscowRiverinFebruary.’”

“Grace—she—”Nelliestammered,shocked.“Shekilledherownhusband,”Alekfinishedthesentence.“Well,sheorderedmyfather,Vladimir,to

doit.Andwhenitcametimetohelphimout,wasGracetobefound?Ha!Shelookedoutforherselfalone.WhenmyfatherwassentencedtospendtherestofhislifeinLefortovoPrisononchargesthathewassomekindofgangsterhitman,noCahillcametotestifyonhisbehalf.NoLucianstringswerepulled.Noactionwastakenatall,andnowherotsinprison,whiletherealcriminaldiedpeacefullyinherbedandherdescendantsrunfreecausingmayhemintheirwake.”

“IfGraceCahillwantedNathanielHartforddead,therehadtobeagoodreasonforit,”Nelliesaid.Shefelttearswellinginherowneyes.Shecouldn’tbelievethatthewomanwhohadhiredherandentrustedhertocareforherkiddoshadorderedherownhusband—theirgrandfather—assassinated.Howcouldshehavebeensocruel?

“Itishardwhenourheroesfall,yes?”saidAlek.Hestoodandsetthefiledownonthedesk.Thenhepulledalargesuitcaseoutfrombehinditand

openedthecase.Inside,thereweretwocanistersoffluidconnectedbyhosestoanemptythirdchamberthathadavalvewithatimeronit.

“It’stimetheLucianbranchendtheirfoolishandundeservedpositionofpowerinmybelovedcountry,”hesaid.“AndwhilemostoftheleadershipisoffonVikramKabra’sridiculousflightabovetheclouds,thosewhoareleftbehindwillfindatasteoftheirownmedicinemostbittertoswallow.Poisonalwayswastheirfavorite.”Heclearedhisthroat,pressedabutton,andthetimerstartedtickingdownfromtenminutes.Thecanistersbubbledasthefluidfromeachstartedtomix,hissingandturningtogasthatfilledthethirdchamber.

“IfyoucanwrigglefreebeforeliquidizedaciddissolvesthisnestofLucianvipersbeneaththegloriousStateKremlinPalace,”Aleksaid,“Idohopeyou’lltellAmyandDanwhotheirgrandmotherreallywas.”Hemovedforthedoor,thenturnedback.“Ofcourse,ifyoudon’tmakeitout,IguessAmyandDanwillknowwhatitfeelsliketolosesomeonetheycareabout.Eitherway,awinforthegoodguy.Me.”

Withthat,heclosedthedoorbehindhim,leavingNellieandSammyhandcuffedinadarkofficewiththeredglowofthecountdownclockmarkingthefinalminutestheyhaduntilpoisongasfloodedthebuilding.ThefilethatcondemnedoneofNellie’sgreatestheroesasacold-bloodedkillersatonthedeskinfrontofthem.

Allinall,thiswasnotoneofNellieGomez’sfavoritedays.

Athens,Greece

TheairshipssettledattheirdockingstationsaroundtheAcropolis.Amypracticallyrandownthemetalstairswhenshesaw,ontheothersideoftheruins,HamiltonbeingledfromtheFoldNEatzeppelininhandcuffs,surroundedbyaprivatesecurityteam.Greekpolicewerewaitingacrossthecomplexwithasquadcar,itslightsflashing.Judgingbythepacethemenweremoving,AmyhadaboutthreeminutestotalkHamoutoftroublebeforehefellintostatecustody.

Jonah,Cara,andIanwerealreadyrunningtowardHam.Ianlookedmuchtheworseforwear,hissuitjacketmissingandhis“fancypants”torn.She’dhavetoaskhimwhathappenedonboardtheLucianairshiponcetheygotHamiltonoutofthetroublehewasin.

Dan’sairshipwasn’tdownyet,andAmydidn’tseeitonherquickglanceupatthesky.Rightnow,though,shehadtofocusonHam.

Bythetimeshereachedhim,thesecurityguardshadhauledhimhalfwayacrossthetemplecomplexandJonahstooddirectlyintheirpath,stoppingtheminfrontofthegreatIoniccolumnsoftheParthenon.

“Yo,thatguy’smybodyguard,youcan’tarresthim!”Jonahobjected.“Perhapsyoushoulddoamorethoroughbackgroundcheckonyourpeople,JonahWizard,”the

leaderofthesecuritydetailsneered.“Thisyoungmanissuspectedofindustrialespionageandperhapsaerialterrorism.”

“Terrorism!”Hamcriedout.“No,it’snotlikethat…Iwastryingtostopsomethingterriblefromhappening!”

“Gentlemen.”Iansmiledcalmly.“Certainly,youcanunderstandthatmycousinhereisnotwell.Heisratherdim-witted.Large,yes,buttotallyharmless.I’msurewecanreachsomesortofarrangementforhisrelease.”Ianpulledouthiswallet.

“Oh,Ian,no,”Caramuttered,pinchinghisarmashardasshecould.“Ouch!Cara,wouldyoupleaseletmediscussthiswiththegentlemen?”Iansnappedather.Cararolledhereyesandpinchedhimharder.“Cara,please!”“Youngman,areyouattemptingtobribeme?”TheleaderofthesecuritydetailscowledatIan.“No,sir,hewasn’t,”Carasaideagerly.“Hewasjustgivingmehis,uh,walletto…hold.”She

snatchedthewalletfromIan’shandandputitinherownpocket.Ian’seyesbulgedatherasthesecurityguardsstartingmovingagain,knockingthemoutoftheway.

“What?”CarashruggedatIan.“Wecouldn’thaveyougoingtojail,too!You’resupposedtobeourleader!”

“Iamyourleader!”Iansnapped.“Sorry,guys!”Hamiltoncalledbackoverhisshoulderashewashustledtowardthewaitingpolice

car.“Butyoushouldknow,theFoldNEatchecksout!Allclear!”Amysmiled.Hamhaddonehisjob.They’dfigureouthowtogethimoutofjailoncethey’dsaved

thetargetedzeppelin.Jonahwouldprobablyhavetohireanexpensivelawyer.“Hey,Wizard!”Hamshoutedback.“IfI’mnotoutofjailbynextFriday,couldyoucancelmydate

forme?Idon’twanthimthinkingIstoodhimupwithoutagoodreason!”AmylookedtoIanoncemore,hopinghe’dcomeupwithsomeotherwaytostopthemfromarresting

Hamilton,whoeventhoughtofotherpeople’sfeelingsashewasgettinghauledofftojail.“SoHamrotsinaGreekjailwaitingforus?”JonahconfrontedIan.“Don’tbedaft.Hewillnotrotinjail,”Ianexplained.“Hemightevenenjoyhistimethere.Modern

correctionalinstitutionshavewonderfulexercisefacilities.Hecanliftweightsalldayifhechooses.”“You’reonecolddude.”JonahshookhisheadandstartedtowalktowardtheGreekpolicecar

whereHamiltonwasbeingstuffedinside.“I’mgoingtogetHamout.”AmyranafterJonah.“Thisain’tright,”hesaidasthetwomadetheirwaybacktothegroup.“Ham’smybro.Ican’tlet

himgotojaillikethat.”“Don’tworry,”saidAmy.“Wewillgethimout.Butfirst,wehavetosavethelivesofallthese

people.It’swhatHamwouldwantustodo.”“HamwouldwantmetomakeRoboGangsta2,”Jonahmuttered.“Soyou’veseenreason?”Iansaidastheyreturned.Jonahnoddedbutdidn’tsayanythingelse,soIan

continued.“Wehaveonlysofareliminatedoneoftheairshipsasapossibletarget,thankstoHamilton’sratherunorthodoxmethods.”

“It’snotmine,either,”saidCara.“Nothingonthatwrestlingbillionaire’sblimpbutoilpaintings,supermodels,anduninspiredengineering.Theydidn’tevenmakethirtythousandfeet.”

“Samewithmine,”Jonahsaid.“They’remoreinterestedinstayinglowtothegroundwhereallofAthenscanseetheirgianttoyadthantheyareinactuallywinningtheprize.”

“WhataboutDan’s?”Amyasked.“Dan?”Shelookedaround,butherbrotherstillwasn’tback.Justthenherphonebuzzed.Itwasatext

messagefromAuntBeatrice’sphonenumberagain.

…andtheexpensivedelicateshipthatmusthaveseen

Somethingamazing,aboyfallingoutofthesky,

Hadsomewheretogettoandsailedcalmlyon.

“Anotherpoem,”saidIan.Belowthetext,therewasanemojiofaclockticking.“‘MuséedesBeauxArts,’”Jonahsaid.“ApoembyW.H.Auden.Andyeah,it’saboutthatsame

paintingastheotherpoem,‘TheFallofIcarus.’”“Where’sDan?”askedAmy.Thefamiliartasteofdreadroseinherthroat.TheyallswiveledtheirheadstotheGasFlightXtreme’slandingdockbythestatelycrumbling

pillaroftheruinedtempleofErechtheion.Thedockwasstillempty.Amylookeddownatthetextmessageagain.

aboyfallingoutofthesky,

“Oh,no,Dan!”criedAmy.Shesquintedupatthesky,herheartpoundingagainstherribcage.ThesunwasshiningoverGreece,justatithadbeenonthedaythatIcarusfell.

TheStratosphere(134,000feetoverAthens)

DansteppedbackfromthedoorasMelindaTothbegantokickit.Hegrabbedtheredspacesuit,thehelmet,andthepackfromthelockerandthrewthemthroughthedoormarkedAIRLOCK.Hesteppedinafterthemandclosedthedoor,turningthelatchtolockit,justasMelindaTothburstintothelockerroom.

Suddenly,herfacefilledthetinyportholewindowinthedoor,herbreathsteamingagainstit.Shewasshouting,butDancouldn’thearaword.Heclutchedthespacesuitinhishands.

Hecouldn’tbelieveitwasreal.He’dspenthoursontheInternetreadingaboutthisexperimentalsuit.He’dsecretlystudiedthewebsiteofitsmanufacturer,OrbitalOutfitters,toseehowtheyplannedtomakeaspacesuitsothinandflexible.He’dalwaysclearedhiswebhistoryafterward.Hedidn’twantanyoneknowinghowverycoolhethoughtthewholespaceindustrywas.Amywastheonewhoknewstuff.Danlikedbeingtheimpulsiveone.Ifshe’dknownheactuallyenjoyedgeekingoutonstuff,shemight’vetriedtolearnaboutit,too.Amysometimeslikedbondingwithhim.Somehow,spacewascoolerwhenitwasjusthissecrethobby.

Thesecretwasoutnow,though.AndifheeverwantedtoseeAmyagain,hehadtohopethesuitactuallyworkedthewaythewebsitebraggeditwould.

Thematerialfelttoothintowithstandtheheatgeneratedbyabodyinfreefall.Heknewthatspaceshuttleshadbigheatshieldsonthem,andmeteorstendedtoburnuponentrytotheatmosphere.Hecouldn’timaginehowaboywouldsurvivewearingaflimsyredspacesuit.ThelogoonthearmofthissuitcalledittheSecondskin,whichwascomfortingandunsettlingatthesametime.

Itwasmadeoutofahigh-techmateriallinedwithtinymetalcoilsthatconnectedtoabatterypack.Dansliditon,zippingituptothehighcollaronhisneck,thenswitchedonthepack.Assoonashedid,thecoilstightenedaroundDan,fittingthesuitagainsthisskinwithafeelingofevenpressurefromthetipsofhistoesallthewaytohisneck.HelookedatTothontheothersideofthewindow.Shegavehimastarethatcould’vecutsteel.

Luckily,itcouldn’tcutthroughtheairlockdoor.Hewasfeelingconfident.Hegaveherawink.Herfacedisappearedfromthelittlewindow.Hadshegivenup?Maybehewouldn’thavetodothis

afterall.Maybehecouldjustwaitouttheflightinthissafelittleroom.

Suddenly,abuzzersoundedandthelightintheroomturnedred.Adisplaylitupwiththeircurrentaltitudeandbelowitatimerclock.

Thetimerwascountingdownfromfiveminutes.Fiveminutesuntiltheairlockopenedintospace.Danglancedatthewindowinthedoor.MelindaTothwasback.Shegrinned,pointedtowardthe

windowattheendoftheroom,theoneonthedoorthatopenedintotheatmosphere,thenmadeafallingmotionwithherhand.

Fourminutesandfortysecondsleft.Therewasanother,looserouterjumpsuittowear.Hepickeditoffthefloorandsteppedintoit,

pullingitupovertheSecondskin.ThisoneshowedthelogoofGasFlightXtremeonitssleeveandalsoofthesuit’smanufacturer,OrbitalOutfitters.Ontopofallthis,hesetthehelmetonhishead,whichlockedinplace.Inside,thereweredigitaldisplaysshowingaltitude,speed,batterypower,anddirection.

Hehoistedthepackontohisbackandbeganhookingthehosesfromituptothesuit,strappingthemintoplaceexactlyasthepicturesonthewebsitehadshown.Hehadneverbeenmorehappyabouthavingaphotographicmemory.

Hecaughthisreflectioninthewindowattheendofthelockerroomandhelookedthepartofanastronaut,atleast.Hefelt,however,likeacondemnedcriminalwalkingtothegallows.

MelindaTothstaredathimthroughthewindow.Shetappedthefaceofherwatchwiththeglisteningtipofherneedle.

Threeminutesleft.Hisbreathingsystemsanddigitaldisplaysinsidethehelmetwerepoweredupandactive.AquickcheckofthedisplayonthewallshowedthecurrentaltitudeoftheGasFlightXtreme:130,000feetabovesealevel.Theairshipshuddered,nearlyknockinghimoffhisfeet.Thegasmixturewaschangingtoadaptto

thethinnerair.Danhadtoholdontothewalltokeepfromfallingoveruntiltheshudderingstoppedandthesmoothrideresumed.

Whentheyreached134,000feet,theystoppedrising.Oneminuteleft.Hepressedabuttononhissleevetoactivatetheauto-deployonhischute.Heknewhowtoskydiveandhe’dreadallaboutsubspaceskydiving,butreadinganddoingwere

verydifferentthings.Noeverdiedfromreadingthewrongway.Jumpingfromspacethewrongway,however,wasdefinitelyfatal.

Withaloudhissingsound,ventsoverthedooratthefarendoftheroomopenedandtheroomdepressurized.

MelindaTothwavedathimthroughthewindowasthelightonthewallturnedfromredtogreenandtheouterdooronthefarwalloftheroomopened.

Dan’shandfellbacktohisside.Hisfeetfeltnumb.TheGreatFalconihadhadyearsoftrainingandevenhewastooscaredtodothisjump.DanhadhadafewextremesportsadventuresintheAlps,justenoughskydivingexperiencetoknowthatthiswasaterribleidea.

Hedoubtedhimself.HedoubtedthathecouldsavetheCahillfamilywhenhehadn’tbeenableto

saveevenharmlessoldAuntBeatrice,andhedoubtedthathecouldstopmoredisasters,doubtedthathecouldjumpintothevoidtoescapeMelindaToth.

Buthisdoubtvanishedwhenhesteppedtotheedgeoftheairlock.ThesightbeyondtookDan’sbreathaway.Therewasnothingbetweenhimandtheorboftheearthbelow.Ifhelookedupandaroundhesaw

onlytheblackofspace,speckledwithstars.Ifhelookeddown,hesawswirlingcloudsandavastcontinentreducedtothesizeofmodelona3-Dmap.Hecouldpracticallyseethedifferentlayersoftheatmospherestackedontopofoneanotherlikelayersonasandwich.Hefelttinyagainstthevastnessofspaceandanalmostcozyfeelinglookingattheearth.

Itwould’vebeenhardtoexplain,buttakingitallin,hisdoubtsvanishedandhefeltlikeheandeveryotherresidentofthattinybluemarbledriftingbelowhimwereonthesameteam,unitedintheirsmallness,allofthemneighborswhenconsideredagainstthesizeoftheuniverse.He’dnevertellanyone,buthefeltasurgeofwhathecouldonlycallloveforallofhumanity.TheOutcastwasnotgoingtohurtanyoneelseeveragain,notifDancouldhelpit.

IttookatriptotheedgeoftheworldforDantorealizeit,butthiswashisdutyasaCahill.TheCahillfamilywasn’tjustabrilliantcollectionoffeudingclansforginghistoryasitsuitedtheirwhims.TheCahillsweremeanttobetheguardiansofcivilization,caretakersoftheworld.

Andthey’dstillgettodocoolstuff.HeglancedbackatMelindaToth,whoseeyesburnedinhergauntface.Hereturnedherwaveand

gaveheralookthathehopedshowedatouchofdevil-may-careconfidence.Itwould’vebeenalotcoolerifhislegsweren’tshakinguncontrollablywithfear.“Okay,world,getready,”hesaidtohimself.“I’mcominghome.”Thenhesteppedfromtheairshipdoorandfellintothestratosphere.

TheStratosphere(134,000feetoverEuropeandfalling)

Thefirstsecondsoffreefallfeltlikeswimmingwithoutwater.Therewasnogreatrush,nosensationoffalling.Theairwastoothinupatthataltitude,andhispressurizedOrbitalOutfittersspacesuitprotectedhimfromtheextremetemperatures.Ashefell,heforgotallaboutMelindaToth,theOutcast,andthethreatofdisaster.Heforgotallaboutdangerandfear.Heforgotallaboutgravityitself.Allhefeltwascalm.

Hemovedhisarmslikehewouldinanormalskydivetosteerandlevelhisbody.Nothinghappened,sohemovedhisarmsagain.Afteraboutthreeseconds,hebegantoturn,thentoturnfaster.Herealizedthatsteeringhimselfinthe

thinairthishighwaslikesteeringabigboat.Therewouldn’tbeaninstantreactiontohismovements.He’dmoveandthencounttothreeandthemovement’seffectwouldhappen.Theproblemwas,he’dalreadymovedalottotrytosteerandnowhewasfeelingtheeffect.

Suddenly,hewasnolongerlookingatthecurveoftheearthbutatendlessspace,thenthebrightflashofthesunalmostcloseenoughtotouch,thenthebottomoftheairshipabovehim,thenattheearthagain,thenspace,thensun,thentheship,fasterandfaster.Hecouldn’tfeelthemovementofairaroundhim,butthedizzyingvisiontoldhimwhathedreaded.

He’dgoneintoaspin.Hetriedtomovehisbodyanotherwaybutcouldn’tgetanycontrolofhimself.Therewasno

resistanceinthethinatmosphere.Thecalmhe’dfeltmomentsagoturnedtohotpanic.Thespeedreadinginsidehishelmettoldhimhowfasthewasfalling.700milesperhour,whichwas

1,026feetpersecond,whichwasrapidlyapproachingthespeedofsound.Itwouldhavebeenthrillingifheweren’tspinningoutofcontrol.Heknewfromwhathe’dreadaboutNASAastronauttrainingthatthegforcesgeneratedinahigh-

speedspinmakethebloodinaperson’sbodyflowawayfromitscenterthroughcentrifugalforce.Unfortunately,thatincludedmakingthebloodflowawayfromtheheartandbrain,thingsDanfiguredhekindofneededtostayalive.Inaworst-casescenario,spinningoutofcontrolatthisspeed,thebloodwouldgetgoingsofastawayfromthecenterofhisbodythatitwouldneedtoescape,andtheonlywayoutwouldbethroughhiseyes.That’dcertainlykillhim,buthewouldn’tfeelitbecausehe’dprobablyblackoutbeforeithappened.Thesamethinghadnearlyhappenedtothepreviousrecordholderforthe

highestfreefall,andhe’dhadyearsoftrainingbeforehissubspacejump.Danfeltshortofbreath.Hegaspedforair,andevenashebreathed,itfeltlikehecouldn’tget

enough.Hischestfelttight,hisheartbeatfluttery,andhehadnoideawhichwaywasupordownanymore.Ashespunandspun,hisvisionnolongerfilledwiththeearththenspacethentheearththenspace.

Instead,hewassomewhereelseentirely,inthelivingroomoftheiroldapartmentinBoston,andhewasontheInternetandhewaswatchingvideos,videosofsomeoneelsefallingfromthesky.

He’dseenvideosofthelastsubspacejumperandnow,witheverysecondofthatjumpclearasdaylightinhismind,hemimickedwhatheremembered.

Hepulledhisarmsbacktowardhisbodytostabilizethem,groaningwiththeeffortofmovingthemjustafewinches.Hestruggledtountanglehislegs.Sweateruptedonhisforeheadandhishelmetfogged.Hisvisionnarrowedtoapinpointofbluelightinthemiddleofablackcircle.Heclungtoconsciousness.

Ifhepassedoutnow,hewasdead.He’dhittheearthasabloodycorpseinaparachute.Hehadtostayawaketostayalive.

“Stayawake,stayalive,stayawake,stayalive!”hemutteredtohimself.HeimaginedMelindaTothintheairship,smirkingasgravitydidherdirtyworkforher.

Danpulledhisarmsin,tuckedhishead,benthisbacktoshifthiscenterofgravity,andtriedtoholdthatpositionwithallthestrengthhehadleft.Heignoredhisnarrowingtunnelvision,ignoredhisfearofdeath,andspreadhisbodywideagainsttheair.Thelowerhefell,thethickertheairbecame.Itwaslikefallingintoapoolofcotton.Theairagainsthisbodyslowedhim.Heregainedcontrol,leveledout,andbegantofallflat,facedown,inproperskydivingform.Theorboftheearthracedupathim.

Hefeltawaveofhotreliefwashoverhim.Hisbreathingmellowedandhisheartbeatslowed.Calmreturned.Tohissurprise,onlythirtysecondshadpassed.

Itdidn’tfeellikehewasacceleratingashefell.Itfeltmorelikehewasbeingheldupinthegentlecupofaninvisiblepalm.Hepicturedhisparents,asmuchashecouldrememberthem,andimaginedtheirhandscuppedtogether,loweringhimcarefullytotheearth.

Achimesoundedinhishelmetandherealizeditwasn’tsogentleafterall.He’djusthitaspeedof1,142feetpersecond,778milesperhour,whichmeanthe’djustbecomethefastestfree-fallerinhistoryandtheyoungestpersonevertobreakthespeedofsoundunaidedbyanyformofengine.

Hecouldn’thelplettingoutawhoop.Timeseemedtospeedupagainastheearthgrewlargerandlarger,fillinghisfieldofvision.He

kepthisfocusforward,andsoonhe’dclearedthehighestlayerofcloudcoverandhecouldmakeouttheshapeofthecontinentsbelow.

Hewasgladhe’dspentsomuchtimestudyingworldmapsandsatelliteimages.Heknewexactlywherehewasandexactlywherehewasgoing,withoutanyonehavingtotellhimtheplan.HewasgoingtolandrightintheParthenon,ontopofthetallesthillinAthens.

Oncehisparachuteopened,thatis.Hecheckedhisaltitude.10,000feet.Asecondlater9,000feet.Then8,000.“Anytimenow,”hesaidaloud.Suddenly,hisvisordisplayflashedred.AUTODEPLOYFAIL.

“Ofcourse,”hemuttered.Theparachute’sautodeploywasn’tworking.Hetookadeepbreathandsqueezedthemanualreleaseinhisrighthand.Nothinghappened.That’swhenthethrillworeoffandherememberedtheOutcastagain.“No!”heyelled.HewasnotgoingtobetheOutcast’sdisaster.Hefeltlikethrowingupinsidehis

helmet.Hesuddenlynoticedhehadtogotothebathroomreallybadly.Healsohadacravingforcoldpizza.Strange,thethoughtsonehadbeforedying.

“No!No!No!”heyelled.Anoddlypolitecomputervoicecrackledinhisear:“Pleasedeploymanualemergencychute.”Hewasat7,500feet,then7,000.Then6,000.Timehadslowedoncemore.Theemergencychute?Wherewasthat?“Deployemergencychuteimmediately,please,”thevoicerepeatedwithcomputer-generated

urgency.Heturnedhisheadasslowlyashecould.Toofastamovewouldsendhimbackintoaspin.Hesaw

themanualswitchonhiswrist.Theearthfilledhisvision,closerandclosertoimpact.Hewantedtojabhisarmoutandhitthe

chute,butanysuddenmovesandhe’dspinoutofcontrolagain.5,000feet.4,500feet.Hemovedhishandslowlyacrosshisbody,shiftinghislegstocounterthemotionandkeephimself

level.4,000feet.3,500feet.Pastthepointofnoreturn.Hehadabouttwosecondsbeforethechutewouldn’tbeabletoslowhim

downenoughandhe’dbreakeveryboneinhisbodyonimpact.“Deployemergencychutenow!”Thecomputervoicewasn’tbeingpoliteanymore.3,000feet.Hehitthebutton,closedhiseyes.Stillnothinghappened.Dan’sstomachsank.HethoughtofAmy,sadthathe’dbeleavingherall

alonewhenhisbodywassmashedtopasteontheruinsofancientGreece.Then,withasickeninglurch,hisstomachroseintohisface.Forthefirsttime,hefeltthespeedhewastravelingasthechutedeployedandherapidlydecelerated.

Thedragslowedhim,thechutegrewandfilled,andbeforeheknewit,hewasnolongerinfreefall,hewasparachutingoverGreece.Hewasincontrol.Hewasflying!

Andhefeltwonderful!Foraboutfourminutes,heguidedhisparachute,flyingoverthedeepbluewaterofthe

Mediterranean,thewhitebeachesoftheGreekIsles,andthenthebustlingcityofAthensbelowhim.HesawthehilloftheParthenonrisingtogreethim,theclearedplazawheretheGasFlightXtremelogohadbeendrawninchalkonthegroundandalltheotherairshipsweredockedinacircle,creatingaperfectlandingzone.

Healsosawthehordesofphotographersandspectatorsbehindroped-offpolicelines.Injustafewseconds,he’dbeonthegroundandeveryonewouldfigureoutthathewasn’ttheGreatFalconi.

Sohedidtheonlythinghecouldthinktodo.

Heturned.Heleanedrightandsteeredhimselfaroundtheplaza,overthereporters,andfoundhimselfzooming

overthestreetsandbuildingsandpowerlinesofAthens.Trafficlookedprettybaddownbelow.Justinfrontofhim,however,hesawalongbuildingwithemptybleachersringinganopentrack.

ItwasthePanathenaicStadium,builtin1896tohostthefirstmodernOlympicGames.Itseemedtheperfectplacetoland.

ThemomentDan’sfeettouchedthegroundandherantoastop,hehitthereleaseonhisparachuteandwavedattheshockedsecurityguardsandagroupofChinesetourists.

Thenheranfromthestadiumandshedhisspacesuitinahallway.Hecouldn’twaittogetbacktotheothersandfindoutwhatthey’dlearned.Maybehe’dbragtohissisteralittlebit,too.He’djustsetaworldrecord,afterall,evenifthe

Cahillswouldbetheonlyoneshecouldtellaboutit.Whenhehitthestreet,hedidthemostnaturalthinghecouldthinktodoafterskydivingtwenty-five

milesfromtheedgeofspace.Hehailedacab.“TakemetotheParthenon!”hetoldthedriver.“I’vegotanotherflighttocatch.”

Moscow,Russia

TheclockrandownandNelliewatchedthegasinthedevice’sthirdchamberexpand,aswirlingwhitecloudofdeath.Sixminutesleft.Shestruggledwithherhandsbehindherback,tryingtoimaginethelockonthecuffsasclearlyaspossible.Sammychattednervouslybesideher.

“TheOutcastisreallygoingtodestroytheLucianbase?”Sammyasked.“He’llstartawaramongthebranches.”

“Thewar’sbeengoingonforcenturies,”Nelliecountered.“Ithinkhemeanstofinishit.Andfrankly,Idon’twanttobecaughtupasaninnocentbystander.”

Withthat,Nelliefinishedpickingthelockofherhandcuffswiththesmallimplementshealwayskeptunderherwatch.Lockpickinghadn’tbeenaskillshe’dusedmuchinculinaryschool,butitwasmightyhandywhenlookingafterAmyandDan.

“Wow,”Sammymarveledather.“Youreallyareamazing.”“Andmysoufflésnevercollapse,either,”shesaid,kneelingdownbesidehimtopickhislock,too.Bythetimeshe’dsnappedhimfree,therewereonlyfourminutesleftontheclock.“Canyoudisarmit?”Sammyshookhishead.“Oncethatgasismixed,there’snogoingback.”“Thenweneedtogetthisplaceevacuated.”Shelookedupattheceilingandsawasmokealarm

mountedabove.Sherushedtothedeskandopenedthetopdrawertorummagepastpens,pencils,acellphonecharger,andamagnifyingglass.Therewasastackofofficial-lookingIDsfromdifferentgovernmentsinside:aninspector’sIDfromtheRussianDepartmentofFisheries,aparkingpassfortheOfficialDelegationofMaldivestotheUnitedNations,andananalyst’sIDfromInterpol,theinternationalpoliceagency.LucianslikedtogowherevertheywantedanditseemedtheykeptstacksofforgedIDslyingaround.Nellieshovedthewholestackinherpocket,andbelowitfoundwhatshewasactuallylookingfor:alighter.

ShegrabbedtheNathanielHartfordfilefromthedeskandhelditintheair.Thenshetookthelightertoit.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Sammycried.“That’stheonlyproofwehaveofGraceorderingthehitonherhusband.”

“Andwhatgoodisit?”Nelliesaidasshewatchedthelayersofpaperburntoash,blacksmokerisingfromthem.

“AmyandDanshouldknowaboutit,”Sammysaid.“Why?”Nelliesnapped.“Howdoesithelpthemtoknowthatthegrandmothertheyadored,the

grandmotherwhogavethemeverything…whogavemeeverything,wasaruthlesskiller?RuiningGrace’sreputationinhergrandchildren’seyeswon’tbringusanyclosertocatchingtheOutcast,willit?”

Sammydidn’tanswer.Shecouldseebyhisfacehowherangerfrightenedhim.“I’msorry,”shesaid.“It’sjustthat…thisisallso…”Thesmokealarmsounded,aloudsiren,andthenavoiceovertheloudspeakerinRussian,Spanish,

English,andChineseorderedeveryonetoevacuateinanorderlyfashion.“Comeon!”Nelliesaid,droppingtheburningfileinthetrashcan.NathanielHartford’sfaceseemed

almosttowinkupatherbeforeitcrispedandsmoldered.“Threeminutes!”TheyburstfromthedoorandranthroughthemuralroomrightintotwoLucianguards.“Hey!Whoareyou?”oneoftheguardsdemanded.Theotherreachedforhisstungun,butjustthen

theyheardashatteringintheofficethey’dcomefrom,aloudhiss.Thesecondguardsteppedpastthemtoinvestigate.Theairsmelledsuddenlyofrotteneggs.

“Whatthe—”hebegan,butthenbegantocough,tochoke,andacloudofgasenvelopedhim.“AHHH!”hescreamed,jumpingbackward.Thesleeveofhisshirtsizzled,theskinonhisarmburstoutinblisters.Theotherguardrushedforwardtohelphim.“Youtwostayrightthere!”heordered.

“Notachance!”Nellieshoutedasthecloudofgasgrew.Thedoortotheofficethey’drunoutofwasbubblingandcollapsing.Thegasmeltedmetaland

plasteralongwithfleshandbone.Theguardswereontheothersideofit.Whatkindofmonsterwouldsetsuchadevice?

“Forgetthis!”oneoftheguardsyelled.“They’renotworthit!”Thetwoofthemranfortheexit.AsthecloudgrewtowardSammyandNellie,theireyesbegantowater.Nellie’sthroatitched.Thecloudofgaseousacidwascomingtheirway,dissolvingthefloorasitwent.“Weneedtogo!”ShepulledSammyalongdownthehallway.AgroupofLuciansinwhitecoats

camerunningfromalab,headingforasetofemergencystairs.NellieandSammyfollowed.“Whoareyoutwo?”oneofthelabtechniciansasked.“Justvisiting,”saidNellie,andsheandSammyracedupthestairs.“Hey!”anotheruniformedLucianguardshoutedfrombehind.“Stopthosetwo!Intruders!”Oneofthescientistspulledasyringefromhiscoatpocket,theskullandcrossbonessymbol

screamingupfromitslabel.“I’vegotthem!”HelungedatNellie,butSammyblockedhim,knockingtheneedlefromthescientist’shandand

smashingitunderfoot.Nelliedeliveredaswiftuppercuttotheman’schinandshovedhimbackwarddownthestairs,justastheguardfiredhisstungunupatthem.

Ithitthescientist,whogruntedandwentlimp,fallingrightintotheguardandsendingthembothtumblingbackdownthestairs.Ittookalltheguard’sstrengthtocarrytheunconsciousscientistupthestairs.NellieandSammytookthestairstwoatatime,escapingfromboththeguardandthedeadlygasatthesametime.

Still,assheheardthesoundoftheceilingcollapsingbehindthem,shelookedbacktomakesuretheywereokay.Noonedeservedtodielikethis.

Theguardandthescientistwerestillclimbingthestairs,andthescientistwaswakingup.Shewasgladtheywerealive.Thatdidn’tmeanthey’dreturnthefavoriftheycaughther.

“Runfaster!”sheurgedSammy.SheandSammyburstthroughtodaylightoutsidethehighredbrickwallsoftheKremlinonanarrow

paththatranalongsidetheMoscowRiver,fromwhichthecitytookitsname.Tourists’daycruisesandbillionaires’yachtsmotoredalongtheriver’schillysurface,obliviousto

thesecretbaseturningtoapoisondeathtrapbelow.ThefleeingLucianswererightbehindNellieandSammy,sotheydidn’thavetimetostoptocatch

theirbreath.Theyranbesidetheriver.Nellielookedbacktoseescientistsinlabcoatsburstoutfromanotherexitbarelyinfrontofawhitecloud,chokingandrollingontheground,peelingofftheirsizzlingcoats.PartofthehistoricKremlinwallsagged,thencollapsedasthestructurebeneathitwasreducedtoasizzlingpuddleofmeltedmetalandstone.

Sirenswailedinthedistance.TwoLucianguardsstoodfromthegrass,blisteredandgaspingforcleanair.TheypointedtoNellie

andSammy.“Afterthem!”theyyelled.“Theydidthis!”SammygrabbedNellie’shandandpulledhertowardthewater’sedge.“Whatareyoudoing?”shesaid.“Wecan’tswimit.Thatwater’stoocold!”“Iknow!”saidSammy.“Jump!”JustasoneoftheLuciansdrewhisstungun,SammyandNellieleapedfromtheriverbankandhitthe

deckofapassingtouristboat.SammyandNelliepantedontheirbacks.Nellie’sheartwasracingsofastshewasn’tsurehowshewasstillalive.Shecoughedtoclearthetickleinherthroat.

Asurprisedcoupleinmatchingneongreenparkasstareddownatthem.“Wedidn’twanttomissthesights!”Nelliesmiled,standingandhelpingSammyup.“Ooh,look,

honey,”shesaidtohim,pointing.“DidwejustpasstheKremlin?”Theconfusedtouristsshruggedandletthembe.SammyandNellieleanedontheedgeoftheboat,staringidlyatthecitypassingby.“Ihopeeveryoneelsegotoutofthereintime.”Sammysighed.“Metoo,”saidNellie.“NoteveryLucianisamurderousgoon.”“Justmostofthem?”Nelliedidn’trespond.Shewasstillthinkingaboutthefile,aboutGraceCahillhavingherown

husbandkilled.SheandAmyandDanhadworkedsohardtocarryonGrace’slegacyandtoprotectherlife’swork.Hadtheybeenunwittingaccomplicestoamurdererforalltheseyears?

Thethoughtwasdizzying.Nellietriedtofocusonaclearerquestion,onethatshemightbeabletoactuallyanswer:WhywouldtheOutcastwanttodestroythisparticularLucianbase,ofallthebasesintheworld?

Becauseitheldthearchives,shedecided.Becausethey’dbeenontherighttrack.“IthinkweneedtogoseeVladimirSpasky,”shesaid.

“InLefortovo?”Sammyasked.“That’samaximum-securityprison.ItusedtobeaKGBtorturechamber!”

“HeknewGrace’sdarkestsecret.Hemightknowevenmore,”Nelliesaid.“HemightknowwhichOutcastwe’relookingfor.”

“Areyousurethat’swhyyouwanttoseehim?”Sammyputhishandonhershoulder.“Ordoyouwanthimtosomehow…Idon’tknow…explainGrace’sordertokillherhusband?”

Nellieshrugged.Shewonderedwhatshewouldtellthekiddos.HowcouldsheexplainthatGracehadhadtheir

grandfatherkilled?HowcouldsheexplainthatGrace,thewomantheyallidolized,mightnothavebeenagoodpersonafterall?Theworstthingapersoncoulddowasdisappointthosewhobelievedinher.

AsNelliestaredattheriverflowingbyinfrontofher,shewonderedwhichwastrulycolder,theMoscowRiverorGraceCahill’sheart.

Athens,Greece

Amystooddumbfounded,staringatthecrowdofpressthathadmobbedtheGreatFalconithemomenttheGasFlightXtremedocked.Everyonewasaskingabouttheteenagerwho’dmissedthelandingzoneandparachutedtotheearthsomewhereelseinAthens,theteenagerwhowasn’tFalconi.

“Whowasthismysteriousteen?”areporterasked.“Idon’tknow,”saidtheGreatFalconi.“Buthe’sgotguts!”“Butwhydidn’tyoujump?”anotherreporterasked.“Me?”Falconisaid.“I’malmostsixteennow.I’mtoooldtobereckless.”Reckless,thoughtAmy.That’sDan,allright.Luckily,noonepaidthegroupofteenagersbehindthe

crowdanyattention.Theydidn’tevennoticeJonahnowthattheyhadamoreexcitingstory.TheteenswereabletostandidlybytheAcropolisMuseumgiftshopasthepresswentwild.

“Sothisiswhatthepaparazzilooklikefromtheotherside?”Jonahobserved.“Icouldgetusedtobeinganobodylikeyouguys.”

Amyrolledhereyesathim,thenherfacelitup.“Whatareyoustaringat?”Danasked,strollingtowardhissister.Hehadhishandsinhispockets,

andhishairwastousled,hischeeksred.HelookedaboutascalmandconfidentasAmyhadeverseenhim.

“How—howdareyouriskyourlifelikethat!”shesnappedathim.“Whoa!”Danheldhishandsupinsurrender.“Yo,thatwassick,Dan!”Jonahgavehimahighfive.“Theysayyoubrokethespeedofsound!”Amythrewherarmsintheair.“Whenyourchutedidn’topen,myheartalmoststopped!You’rethe

onlybrotherIhave,andasannoyingasyouare,I’dlikenottoseeyourgutssplatteredacrossEurope.”“Don’tbesomelodramatic,Amy,”Dantoldher.“Therewasabackupchute.Besides,youcan’tyell

atme.Ijustset,like,ahundreddifferentworldrecords.”“Three.”Amyheldupthreefingers.“Longestfreefall,highestskydive,andyoungestpersontobreak

thespeedofsound.Youonlysetthreeworldrecords.”“Morethanyou’veset,”Danmuttered.“AndIhadtojump!MelindaTothwasupthere,afterme.I

thinkshewasuptheretomakesurethatshipdidn’tgetclosetotheKarmanLine.”

“Shesawyou?”Amyasked.“Shetriedtokillmewithsomekindofdeadlyhair-needlething,”saidDan.“Butnowatleastwe

knowthatGasFlightXtremeisn’ttryingtowinthisthing.Theyonlywantedtodothespace-divingstunt.”DancaughtsightofIan’storn-upclothes.Ian’shairlookedaboutasdisheveledasDan’sdid.“Uh,Kabra…didyoujumpfromspace,too?”

“Ihadmyownchallengesonboardadirigible,”Iansaid.“Whathappened?”Caraaskedhim.Iantookadeepbreath,thenclenchedhisjaw.“Ihadabriefandunpleasantencounterwithmy

father,”hesaid.“Yourfather?”Caragasped.AmynoticedherhandgotoIan’sandsqueezeit.“Areyouokay?”Ianlookeddownatherhandonhisownandseemedtomomentarilyforgethowtospeak.Hestared

atthetwohandstouchingforasecond,thenpulledhishandawayandbrushedimaginarydirtfromhisshoulder.“Ofcourse.Iamperfectlyfine,”hesaid.

“But,uh,Ian?”Amygesturedathistatteredclothes.“Whathappenedtoyou?”“Simple,”saidIan.“Iboardedtheairshipwithoutincidentandmadeacursoryinspectionofthe

systems.Thecrewmovedwithruthlessefficiency,aswouldbeexpected,andIwasabletoavoiddetection.Imadeittothecockpit,whereIlistenedtoagroupofseniorofficersdiscussingtheirflightplanandtheirintentiontodominatethecompetition.”

“SotheLuciansreallydowanttowin?’Amyasked.“Couldtheybethetarget?”“Theyalwayswanttowin,”saidIan.“ButmyfatherisinleaguewiththeOutcast.Sono,Idonot

believetheyarethetarget.Ioverheardthemtalkingaboutthestudentairship.Yourairship,Amy.Thecaptaincalledittheirgreatestthreat.MyfatherassuredthemthattheSCAwouldnotbeaproblem.Hesaidhehadplansinplacetoneutralizethem.”

“NeutralizealwaysmeanskillinLucian-speak,”saidDan.“Sonowweknow,”saidAmy.“Wehavetowarnthem.”“Wecan’tsimplymakeanaccusationlikethat,”saidIan.“Weneedproof.”“Didyourfathersaywhattheirplanwas?”Caraasked.Ianshookhishead.“Unfortunately,Iwasdiscoveredatthatprecisemomentbyhisbodyguardsand

…well…”Ianbithislip.Caratouchedhisback,butheshruggedheraway.“Myfatherorderedmeremoved

fromtheship,”hesaid.“Wewerenotquiteyetonthegroundwhenhehadmeremoved.Ifellintoahedge.”

“Ahedge?”Amywondered.“Somekindofshrubbery.”Iangrunted.Helookedaway,andAmycouldseetearsglisteninginhis

eyes.Itwasn’tonlyhisfancypantsthathadbeenshredded.AmyrealizedthattheOutcast’spoemhadn’tbeenaboutDan.ItwasaboutIan,tossedoutofan

airshipbyhisownfather.TheOutcastwasastepaheadofthemthewholeway.“Didyourdadsayanythingelse?”Amywondered.“Anythingaboutwhatwasgoingonhere?”Ian’sjawclenched.“Hecalledmeaprofounddisappointment,butIdon’tbelievethat’srelevantto

ourcurrentpredicament.”

AmyfoughttheurgetocomfortIan.Hewouldn’twanthersympathyandhe’dprobablysaysomethingoffensiveifshetriedtoofferit.Still,Ianwasbasicallyanorphanhimself.

“WhenIfinallygotmyselfuntangledfromtheshrubbery,”Iancontinued,“Imademywaybackhere.Isawmyfathergetintoatowncarandleave.”

“Sohe’snotonboardtheLucianairshipanymore?”Amyasked.“No,”saidIan.“TherewereotherLucianleadersonthere,someexecutivesfromtheboardof

OmniaIndustries,awarlordortwo.Toppeople.Ialsorecognizedthecaptainandsomeofthecrew.They’reallmercenaries.Theparamilitarygoonsmyfatherhiresforthemostunpleasantwork,thingslikeclearingvillagesnearoilpipelinesinBurmaorescortingnuclearwastetrainsthroughciviliantowns.They’reexpensivekillersandtheyfollowhisorderswithoutfail.”

“OrderslikecausinganaerialdisasteroverGreece?”Caraasked.Iannodded.“He’llprobablybereportingbacktotheOutcastnow,”saidAmy.“BetweenJonah’spress

conference,Dan’sescapefromMelindaToth,andyourfatherseeingyou,wewon’thavemuchtimetostopthedisaster.WehavetogetaboardtheMITairshipandpreventthemfromtakingoff.”

Ianagreed.“Allofuswon’tbeabletosneakonwithouthelp.”“Yo,Idon’tthinkIcanpulloffanotherpressconference,”Jonahsaid.“Theartofmimeonlygoesso

far.”“Icangetyouonboard,”saidErieleCienfuegos,steppingfrombehindatouristinformationkiosk.“Whoisthisperson?”Iansnapped.“Hasshebeeneavesdropping?”“ThisisEriele,”saidAmy.“She’s…well…”“Yourcousin,”Erielesaid,stickingherhandoutforIan.“I,likeyou,amadescendantofLuke

Cahill,aproudLucian,andIamhappytobeofserviceifImay.”Ianshookherhandbutremainedskeptical.“Youare,afterall,therightfulleaderofthefamily,areyounot?”Erieleadded.Ian’slipscrackedintoasmile.“IndeedIam,”hesaid.“Good.”ErielelockedeyeswithIan.“WefinallyhavealeaderIcanlookupto.”Sheseemedthen

toremembertheotherswerestandingthere.SheglancedatAmyandofferedaquick“Nooffense.”“Oh,nonetaken,”Amyansweredwithsomesarcasm.“Theairshipsareplanningtotakeoffagainrightaway,”saidEriele.“Notheyaren’t.”CarasteppedbetweenErieleandIan.“Thedemonstrationsdon’tstartagainuntil

tomorrow.”Erieleshookherhead.“Withallthesecuritybreaches,theGreekauthoritieshaverevokedthe

permitsfortheentireAirshipXtremecontestaftertoday.SotheorganizershavedecidedtogivecompetingshipsonemorechancetoreachtheKarmanLine.Firstonetheretodaywinstheprize.Andonlytwoshipshavedecidedtoparticipate.”

“Letmeguess:yoursandOmniaIndustries?”saidDan.Erielenodded.“Wehavetostopyours,”saidAmy.“I’msosorry.”“Thecrewwon’tjuststanddownwithoutevidenceofarealplot,”saidEriele.“They’llthinkany

attempttotalkthemoutofgoingupwasjustadirtytricktokeepthemfromwinning.”“Thenwe’llgoonboardandstopthem,”saidIan.“We’lldowhateverwehavetodotosavetheir

lives,eveniftheydon’twantusto.”Hepuffedouthischest.“NooneelseisgettinghurtwhileI’mincharge.”

Erieleexhaleddreamily,andeveryonebutIannoticedCararollinghereyes.

Erielewasabletogetthemallonboardasherguests,exceptJonah,whoshethoughtshouldstayonthegroundsoasnottodistractthestudents.

“IncasethereareanyJonahWizardfansonboard,”sheexplained.“Whileyou’reallupthere,I’mgonnasicsomeofmylawyersonHam’scase,”hesaid.“SeeifIcan

gethimoutofjail.”Iandidn’tobjectandAmyknewwhy.Ifsomethingwentwrongupabove,there’dstillbeatleasttwo

loyalCahillsleftalivetotrytostoptheOutcastfromcausinghisnextdisaster.AmythoughtaboutaskingDantostaybehind,too,buttherewasnowayhe’dlethergoupwithouthim.

“Hehasprovenhimselfoddlyknowledgeableaboutsubspaceengineering,”Iansaid.“Wemighthaveuseofhim.”

“Oh,mightyou?”Dansneered.AmythoughtofIanasabrother,butheractualbrotherdidn’tseemto.

Whentheyclimbedthestepstoboard,Katlyn,theredheadedcrewchief,stoodatthehatchandobjectedtothenewguestsinnouncertainterms.

“Wearen’tsomepleasurecruise!”shesaid.“Noguests.”“They’rejustkids,”Erielesaid.“I’llmakesurethey’regonebeforetakeoff.”“Fine.”Katlynseethedbutturnedawaytotakecareofmorepressingmattersofpreflight

preparation.Theywereallowedtoboard.“Idon’tlikethisErielegirl,”CarawhisperedtoAmy.“She’saLucian.Whyisshehelpingus?”“Ian’saLucianandhe’sleadingus,”saidAmy.“Youtrusthim.”“He’sdifferent,”saidCara.“He’snotliketherestofthem.”“Maybeyou’rejustalittle—?”“What?”CaracutAmyoff.“Jealous?WereyouabouttosayI’mjealous?Me?LikeMr.Brit-fuff-

fuffcouldmakemejealous?Ha!”Amyletitgowithoutcomment.SheknewfromexperiencethatIan’sheartwasasconfusedand

impenetrableastheMinotaur’smaze.IanandCaracouldworkouttheirrelationshipissueslater,whentheyweren’tatriskofgettingblownacrosstheupperatmosphereintheworstaerialdisasterofthecentury.

“Erielekeptmefromgettingcaughtbefore,”Amyexplained.“I’lltrustheruntilshegivesmea

reasonnotto.”Caracrackedherknuckles.“Themomentshegivesmeareason,I’mready.”Noted,thoughtAmy.BestnevertocrossCarainmattersoftheheart,Ian’sheart,particularly.I

hopesheknowsheandIarejustfriends.Onceaboardtheairship,Danstartedtogeekoutagainaboutthespacestuff,pointingatthenestof

pipesandconduitsthatranalongtheceiling,explainingtoAmywhattheyalldid.“Sothatmustbetheheliumcontroltubing,”hesaid.“Andthat’sthehydrogen.Yousee,therigid

aluminumshellabovehasalltheserubberbladdersinside.Theshipgoesupanddownbasedonhowmuchofthedifferentgassesfilleachbladder.Theenginesprovidethedrivethrust,butit’sthegasthatgivesitthealtitude.Astheatmospheregetsthinner,themixturehastochangetocompensate.It’s,like,serioussciencestuff.”

“Sowheredowelookfirstforawaytheymightblowthisthingup?”Ianwondered.“Thebladdercontrolroom,”Erielesuggested.“It’dbethemostlikelyplace.”AmylookedatDan,buthedidn’tmakeajokeaboutthe“bladdercontrolroom.”Thatwasperfect

DanCahillsnarkmaterial.Hemustbereallyintothisstuffifhecouldn’tevenmusterabladdercontroljoke.

“Someofthegassesyouusearecombustible,right?”Danasked.“ItwashydrogenthatcausedtheHindenburgtoexplode,”Amysaid.“IfIweregoingtotrytoblow

oneofthesethingsup,I’daimfortheexplosivegas.”ShelookedatDanagain,buthedidn’tcracksomuchasasmirkat“explosivegas.”Hewasreally

intothespacestuffifthephrase“explosivegas”didn’tcrackhimup.“Explosivegas,”sherepeated.Hedidn’tgiggleatall.Itseemedlikeeverythinghadbeenturnedonitsheadlately.Amywasusedtobeingtheoneprovidingtheinformation,whileDanrolledhiseyesandgot

distracted.Shealmostwishedtherewassomehistoricalartifactaroundthatshecouldexpoundupon.Shefeltalittleoutofherelement,notinchargeandnotexpertinanythingrelevanttotheirmission.ShebegantowonderiftheOutcastwasright…hadshereallyeverbeenfittofollowinGrace’sfootsteps?Wassheevermeanttobealeaderinthefirstplace?

Astheymadetheirwaytowardthebladdercontrolroom,ErieletoldIanaboutallthepossibilitiestheprizecouldopenup.“Imaginehavingthesolegovernmentcontracttoputsatellitesintoorbitcheaplyandquickly,ortodelivercargoanywhereintheworldinunderninetyminutes.Ortodropbombsdeepintoenemyterritorywiththespeedofaballisticmissile.”

“Nowyou’resoundinglikeaLucian,”Caragrumbled.“OnewouldthinkanEkatlikeyourselfwouldenjoythewonderofengineeringthatI’mallowingyou

tosee,”Erielereplied.“Oh,thankyouforallowingmetoseeit,”Carasaid.“Cara,there’snoneedtoberude,”Iansaid.“Erieleistryingtobeagoodhost.”“You’reonherside?”Carascoffed.“Figures.”“Iamnotonherside,”Iansaid.“IamtryingtostoptheOutcast.Weareallonthesameside.Infact,

ifanything,itisshewhoisonmyside,astheleaderofthefamily.Infact,Iusedtothinkyouwereonmysideaswell.”

“Sonowit’syourside,”Carasaid.“Youjustwantmyobedience,isit?”“Itwouldbeniceforachange.”“Guys,don’tfight,”Amycutin.“Iamnotfighting,”saidIan.“IammerelytryingtodotheworkIwasborntodo,whileCarais

tryingtounderminemebybeing…difficult.”“YouthinkI’mdifficult?”Caracrossedherarms.“Fine,perhapsI’llgoinvestigatethesystem

network.I’llbeoutofyourwaythen.Youandyournewfriendcanbealonetogetherwithoutmydifficulty.”

“Fine,”saidIan.“Fine!”saidCara.Carareversedcoursedownthecorridoranddisappearedaroundacorner.Ianstaredafterher.“Justsoyouknow,”Daninterjected,“youguysarenotalonetogether.Amy,Eriele,andIare,like,

righthere.”“Comeon,”saidEriele.“Thisway.”Justthenthreetonessoundedovertheloudspeaker.“Threeminutestodeparture,”saidEriele.“Butwehaven’tfoundanythingyet,”saidAmy.“Ifwedon’tfindoutwhattheOutcast’splanis,we

can’tletthisshiptakeoff.It’stoorisky!”“It’stoolate,”saidEriele.“There’snowayIcangetthemtocancel.There’safortuneatstake.They

won’tstoptheliftoffwithoutabsoluteproof.”Sheopenedadoorandusheredtheminsideasmall,darkroomthatsmelledpowerfullyofbleach.“Thisisn’tabladdercontrolroom,”saidDan.Amygiggledandcoveredhermouthwithherhands,mortified.Shewasnotsomeonewhogiggledat

thingslikebladders,especiallynotattimeslikethis.Dancockedhisheadather.“Realmature,”hesaid.“Thisisourcustodialsuppliescloset,”Erielesaid.“Hideinhere.I’llcomebackforyouonce

we’reairborne.”“Airborne,”Danrepeatedasthedoorclosedandlockedfromtheoutside.Amy,Dan,andIanstoodsidebysideinthepitch-blackclosetastheyfelttheairshipshudderand

begintorise.AmypulledoutherphoneandtypedaquicktextmessagetoNellietoletherknowtheyweregoing

up.Herphonedingedalmostimmediately,butitwasn’tNelliereplying.ItwasAuntBeatrice’sphone

again,stillbeingusedbytheOutcast.“What’shesay?”Danasked.“‘Whatgoesup,mustcomedown,’”sheread.“‘SeeyouattheKarmanLine.’”Theystoodquietlyforalongtime.Amyheardtheothertwobreathinginthedark.Theshipwas

risingupintotheatmosphereandshedidn’tknowhowtheyweregoingtostopit.Iftheyfailed,sheand

herbrotherandIanandCaraandallthestudentsonboardweregoingtobevaporizedwiththeworldwatchingonthenews.Thethoughtmadeherwanttoscream.Theclosetfeltsuddenlysosmall,thewallsclosingin.AllofAmy’soldfearsoftightspace,ofheights,offailure,cameroaringback.Ifsheopenedhermouth,sheknewshe’dstammerlikesheusedto.Shegrippedherhandstogethertokeepthemfromshaking.

Getittogether,shetoldherself.Nowisnotthetimetopanic.Shehadtostaycalmifshewasgoingtothinkofawayoutofthis.Shehadtostaycalmforherbrother’ssake.

“Sonowwe’relockedinaclosetonboardaflyingbomb,”Dansaid,hisvoicemoreannoyedthanfearful.“Greatleadership,Kabra.”

Dan’ssnarkbroughtAmybacktohersenses.IfDanwasn’tfreakingout,thenneitherwouldshe.Herhandsstoppedshaking.

“It’snotIan’sfault,”shesaid.“Don’tworry,”Ianadded.“Erielewillbebacktoletusoutinamoment.She’saLucian,afterall.

Wecantrusther.”“Trustherbecauseshe’saLucian?”Danresponded.“Ihaveliterallyneverheardthatonebefore.”

TheTroposphere

Carastormedofftofindtheserverroom,aroomthateverycomplexcomputernetworkhad.Shefigureditwouldbeinasecureplacethatwouldalsostayrelativelycool,soitwouldprobablybeneartheouteredgeofthegondola.ShesawtheredheadnamedKatlynwalkby,andshepressedherselfintoacorner.

I’mnotbeingfairtoIan,shethought.Heneveractuallymeanttobeajerk.Hewasjusttoooblivioustonoticewhenhewasbeingajerk.Ianwouldhappilygivehislifetosaveanyoftheirs.He’dalmostgottenhimselfthrownintojailtokeepHamout,andhedidn’tevenseemtolikeHamiltonHoltallthatmuch.

Inadditiontomakingbig,quickdecisionswithhighstakesforthewholefamily,he’dhadtofacehisfathertoday.HewasunderalotofstrainanditprobablyfeltgoodtomeetanotherLucian,someonewhomadehimfeellikehewasaleader,notsomeonewhocalledhimaBrit-fuff-fuffallthetime.Shedecidedthatsheshouldapologize.Beforehecouldapologizetoher.Itwasawin-win.She’dbethebiggerperson.She’dshowIanjusthowstubbornhewasbybeingtheunstubbornoneforachange.

That’dteachhim.Shesmiled.ShewasabouttoturnbackwhenshenoticedadoorominouslymarkedLIFESUPPORTSYSTEMS:

AUTHORIZEDCREWONLY.IftheOutcastwasgoingtostrike,thiswouldbeagoodplacetostart.Shereachedforthedoor.It

was,ofcourse,locked.Therewasanelectronickeypadbesideit,soCarapulledasmallspraybottleoffthekeychaininherpocketandgavetwoquickspritzes.Therewerefivedigitsthathadmoreoilresidueonthemthananyothers,telltalemarksleftbypeoplerepeatedlyhittingthosenumbers.Theproblemwasthatevenknowingthefivenumbersoftheaccesscode,shecouldn’tknowtheorderinwhichtheywerepressed,andshedidn’thavetimetotryallthecombinations.MaybeErieleknewthecode.Asmuchasshehatedto,she’dhavetogobackandask.

Asshemadeherwaydownthecorridor,sheheardthethree-minutetonesound.Shepickedupherpace,tryingtogetbacktothebladdercontrolroom.Shehadtogettotheothersbeforethisflyingdeathtraptookoff.Ifsheknewanythingaboutherfriends,sheknewtheywouldn’tleavethisairshipbeforethey’dmadesureitwassafe,andshewasn’tabouttogetoffaslongastheywerestillonboard.

Whentheairshipliftedoff,shewasflatoutsprintingthroughthehallway,notcaringwhosawher.“Ian!”shecalledout,fearsettingin.Throughaporthole,theruinsofAthensfellawayastheairship

liftedupintotheseaofwhiteclouds,thenpassedthroughthemtotheendlessbluesky.“Ian?”shecalledagain.

Apassingcrewmanlookedatherlikeshewascrazybutkeptonhisway.Andstilltheairshiprose.Hadtheotherslefttheshipafterall?WasCaraallaloneupthere?No!Ianwouldn’tabandonher

likethat,wouldhe?Hecouldn’t.Heknewshedidn’treallymeanitwhenshemadefunofhim…right?Shemovedquicklydownthehalltherestoftheway.DanhadtoldthemtheKarmanLinewassixty-

twomilesabovesealevelandthatwasthisairship’sgoal.327,360feet.Theyhadtostopthisairshipbeforethen,andifitwasuptoCaratodoitalone,thenthat’swhatshewoulddo.

Fromeverythingthey’dlearnedabouttheairship,shehadabouttwohoursuntilthey’dreachthey

KarmanLine.Carawonderedifshecouldsabotagethethingherselftoforceittolandsafely.Thealtitudeflashedbyonadisplay:34,000feet.Thatwastheheightmostcommercialairlinesflew.

Shewatchedastheyroseaboveit.Theskyoutsidetheportholewasdarkening.Shewasbeginningtomakeouttheearth’scurve,thelightturninganinkypurple,thesunglowingoffthedistantclouds.Theywererisingfullspeedtowardtheupperatmosphere.

Sherecalculatedinherhead.Maybetheyonlyhadanhour.Maybeless.Theywereracingforvictory…andtheirdoom.Shefelta

lumpinherthroat.Shefoundthebladdercontrolroomandtriedthedoor.Itwasopen,whichwasarelief.Sheexhaledslowly,hopingtofindIanandtheothersontheother

sideofthedoor,hopingshewasn’tallaloneupthere.Shesteppedinside.“Eriele,”shesaid,seeingthegraduatestudentaloneinthetightroom,surroundedbyleversand

dialsandkeyboards.“I’msorryIstormedoff.It’sjustthatI’msousedtolookingoutforIanthatIcangetalittlepossessivesometimes.”Shetriedtoactcasual,nottolettheterrorinhervoicecreepout.“Bytheway,whereishe?”

“Heisstowedawaywiththeothers,”saidEriele,tappingatkeysononeofthecomputers.Caranodded,gladshewasn’talonebutalsosuddenlyafraidnotjustforherselfbutforherfriends.Theywereallonboardnow,andiftheyfailed,theywereallgoingtodie.

“Iamgladyoufoundmefirst,”Erielesaid.“YouarejustthepersonIwantedtosee.”“Great,”saidCara.“Ithinkweshouldjustgroundthisthingourselves,forceittolandbeforeitcan

explode.”“Excellentidea,”saidEriele.“I’msurethat’sjustwhatthey’llthinkyoudid.”“WhatIdid?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Caraasked,butevenasthewordscameoutshesawthe

TaserinEriele’shand,anditwaspointedstraightather.Fearhadabittertasteonthebackofthetongue,butshedidn’ttasteitforlong.

Erielefired.Carajoltedasshelostcontrolofeverypartofherbody.Electricitycoursedthroughher,clamping

herjawshut,fryinghernerves.Shefell,shakingandshuddering,tothefloor.Itsizzledlikeathousandfireworksgoingoffbehindhereyelids.Shefearedherhairhadcaughtonfirebutshecouldn’tliftherarmstoputitout.Shecouldfeelhervisionblurring.

Bythetimeshecouldseeclearlyagain,shewastiedtoachairandthealtimeterread90,000feet…andclimbing.

Moscow,Russia

ThetaxitookNellieandSammyonlythroughthefirstgateoftheimposingLefortovoPrison.Thehighyellowwallsandguardtowerstoldofaplacewheredangerouscriminalswereheld,notforrehabilitationbutforcontainment.DuringtheSovietera,ithadbeenaKGBprisonwherethousandsofinnocentpeoplewereheldfordays,weeks,orevenyears,tortureduntiltheyconfessedtocrimesthey’dneverevendreamedofcommitting.Manyenteredthosedarkgatesunderthecoverofnightandneversteppedoutintothesunshineagain.

ThecurrentleadersinMoscownowusedittoholdtheirownenemies,mafiacontractkillers,dangerousdissidents,andcold-bloodedcriminalsoftheworstsort.ThemanNellieandSammyweretheretoseewasallofthoseatonce.

Aftertheyhadclearedthesnifferdogsandthecoldstaresoftheguards,thetaxidriverletthemouttowalktherestofthewaytothemaingate.Theyexplainedtheyweretheretovisitaprisonerandwereletintothepublicwaitingroom,wheretheclocktickedloudenoughtoechooffthecoldinstitutionaltile,andtimepassedasslowlyasthetrickleofmysterioussludgedrippingfromapipeontheceiling.

Herphonebuzzed.“AtextfromAmy,”shetoldSammy.“They’regoingupinanairship.They’regoingtotrytostop

historyfromrepeatingitself.”Sammynoticedherhandshakingandtouchedhergently.“Ifanyonecanhandleit,it’sthosekids.

They’llbeokay.”Nellienodded.Shehopedso.Athick-neckedguardsteppedintothewaitingroomandbeckonedthemintoasmallofficewherea

jailorinacheapsuitsatbehindhisdesk,peeringatSammyandNelliethroughgold-rimmedglasses.Hisstubbypinkfingerstappedtheirpassports.Inthequietoftheofficetheycouldhearshoutsandgroansfromthecellsinthedistantrecessesoftheprison.Onthewall,themanhadhungapictureofhimselfonafishingboatgivingathumbs-upbesidethehangingbodyofahammerheadsharkhe’dcaught,orwas,atleast,pretendingtohavecaught.

Nellielookedbackattheman,whopursedhislips,clearlywaitingtoseeifshewasimpressed.Sheshrugged.Inthedistanceaprisonerscreamed.Sammyflinched,butNelliekeephergaze

squarelyfixedonthejailor.“Youaretovisit…”Themanpretendedtoconsultthesign-inform,butNelliecouldtellhewasn’t

reallyreading.Heknew.“VladimirAntonovichSpasky?”“Da,”Nellietoldhim,meaning“yes.”ItwasoneofthefewRussianwordssheknew.Therestof

thewordssheknewweredifferentwaysofsayingcaviar,wordsthatshedidn’tthinkwouldcomeinhandyrightnow.

“Please,donotbutcherbeautifulRussianlanguage,”themansaid.“WewillspeakEnglish.”“Okay,”saidNellie,relieved.“WeareheretoseeMr.Spasky,yes.He’sadistantrelativeofours.”“TwoAmericans,familytomanlikeVladimirSpasky?”thebureaucratasked.“Heismafia!You

knowwhattheycallhim?The…howdoyousayinEnglish?Whatsurgeonusesforcutting?”“Scalpel?”suggestedSammy.“Da!Yes!”saidthejailor.“TheScalpel!Acontractkillerformafia,youunderstand?Andbefore

that,forKGB.Inthisverybuilding,hetorefingernailsfromAmericanspiesandsmiledfortheirscreaming.”ThemanlookedNellieupanddown.“HekillmoreAmericansthanyouhavedyedhairsonyourhead.”

“Still,”saidNellie,holdingherground,holdinghisgaze.“Wewouldliketospeaktohim.”“Impossible,”saidtheman.“Heisinsecurehospital.Icannotallowvisitors.”“Butwereallymustspeakwithhim,”Nelliesaid.“Younotspeakwithoneofmyprisonerswithoutmypermission,younglady!”Themanpoundedhis

fistonhisdesk.“Idonotbelieveyouarerelative,andIdonotbelieveIhaveanyreasontoletyouseeing!”

“Perhapsthiswillconvinceyou,”saidSammy,rollinguphissleeve.Heshowedthejailoratattooonhisarm:awheelwithFe2+repeatedoverandoveragainallaroundtheoutsideofit.Nelliewrinkledhereyebrows.WhywouldSammyshowthismanhisweirdtattoo?WhydidSammyevenhavethisweirdtattoo?

“Whatisthat?”thejailorasked.“Youknowwhatitis,”Sammysaidominously.Thejailorloweredhisvoice.“Mafiatattoo?”Sammydidn’tsayanything—justrolledhissleevebackdown.Thejailorbreatheddeeply.“Youarerelativethen.”Sammynodded.Thejailorleanedforwardeagerlyanddroppedhisvoicetoawhisper.“Doyouknowsomething

abouthismoney?Whereishidden?”Theoldsayingthatinmostprisonstheguardsareprisoners,too,struckNellie.Thisone,though,

woreasuitandcontrolledthekeys,andwasnomorethanacrookhimself.Butacrookwithpowerhadtobehandleddelicately,eitherflatteredorfrightened.

Nelliedidn’tfeellikeflattering,notafterhe’dinsultedherhair,soshedecidedtoputsomefearintohim.

“LetusspeaktoMr.Spaskybeforewetakethismattertoyoursuperiors.”Asshespoke,shereachedintoherpocketandpulledoutoneoftheforgedgovernmentIDcardsfromthestackshe’dtakenoutofthe

Lucianbase,gladthatnoneofthemhadpicturesonthem.Shesliditacrossthedesktotheman,whoscoopeditupandglanceddown.

“YouarefromtheRussianDepartmentofFisheries?”Themanlookedconfused.Nellietriednottocurse.She’dmeanttopullouttheInterpolIDandpretendtobeaninternational

cop,butnowitwastoolate.Gowithit,Gomez,shetoldherself.Sometimestheonlywayoutoftroublewasdeeperin.No

turningbacknow.Thebiggerthelie,theharderitistodisprove.“Well,”shesaid.“MyuncleisRussian…and…he…”Shelookedtothephotoofthemanwiththe

sharkonthewall.“I’mguessingyoudidnothavealicensetopoachahammerheadshark.Didyouknowthatwasillegal?”

Themanclenchedhisjaw.“I’dhatetotellmyuncleaboutit,”Nelliecontinued,bluffingherbestbluff.“Imagineifhehadto

sendhisinvestigatorstoyourprison,whatwouldhefindotherthanaphotoofillegalfishing?”Themanstaredoverhisshoulderathissharkphoto,thenturnedbacktoNellie,deflatinglikea

heliumballoonthreedaysafterabirthdayparty.Tenminuteslater,NellieandSammystoodintheprisonhospitalbythebedsideofVladimirSpasky,

AlekandIrinaSpasky’sfather.AndthemanGraceCahillhadorderedtokillherownhusband.

“Iwillgiveyouprivacy.”Thejailorexcusedhimselfandclearedalltheguardsoutoftheroom,closingthedoorbehindthem.Heclearedthehallwayoutsidethedoor,too.

“So,uh,Sammy?”Nellieasked.“What’swiththattattoo?YouwereneverintheRussianmafia.Unlessthere’ssomethingyouaren’ttellingmeaboutbeforewemet?”

Sammylaughedandrolleduphissleeveagaintoshowherhistattoo.“Seethatsymbolaroundthewheel?Fe2+?That’sthechemicalsymbolforferrousironcompound.Somytattooisaferrouswheel!Getit?Ferrouswheel?Ferriswheel?”Hegrinnedwidely.

“Thatisthenerdiestchemistry-joketattooIhaveeverseen,”Nelliesaid.“You’veseenotherchemistry-joketattoos?”Nellieshookherhead.“Anyway,we’reluckyourjailortheredidn’thaveaPhDinchemistry,”saidSammy.“Andluckyyou

haveanuncleintheDepartmentofFisheries.”

Nellieclearedherthroat.“Hey,itworked,didn’tit?”Sammynodded.“Itworked.Hereweare.”Theystoodquietlyagain,staringatthemaninthebed.Theoldmanlayperfectlystillbeneathcrispwhitesheets.Hewasattachedtoaheartratemonitor

andtherewasabreathingtubeinhisnose.Hiseyeswereclosedandhisskinwaswaxy.Helookedfrailandhelpless,andshefeltsadforhim.ItwashardtobelievethiswasthemanwhohadraisedoneofthemostbrutalkillersNellieeverhadthemisfortunetomeetinherlife.

“Mr.Spasky.”Nelliespokequietlytohim.“Mr.Spasky,mynameisNellieGomez.Iknewyourdaughter…inaway…andadmiredher,attimes…”IrinahadgivenherlifesavingDanandAmy.ItwastheonlytimeNelliehadadmiredher,butforherkiddos,NelliewouldbeforevergratefultoIrinaSpasky.“Ineedtoaskyousomequestions.”

“Doyouthinkhecanhearus?”askedSammy.Nelliehadnoidea,butshehadtotry.Shehadtoknow.“IhavesomequestionsaboutGraceCahill.”Withthat,VladimirSpasky’seyesshotopenandhecriedoutinRussian“Yaizvinyayus,Grace!Ya

popredavaltebya!”SammylookedatNelliequestioningly.Sheshookherhead.She’dnoideawhatVladimirSpaskyhad

justshouted.TheoldmantiltedhisheadtowardNellie,reachedout,andtookherhandinhis.Hisskinwasdry

andrustledlikepaper.“Grace…”Hesighed.“DoyourememberGraceCahill?”Nellieasked.Themannodded.“IalwaystrytoserveGraceCahill,”heansweredinEnglish.Hespokequietlybut

clearly.HissteelblueeyesheldNellie’sandfilledwithtears.Helookedsadandshefeltaswellofpityforhim,untilsheremindedherselfwhohewas,wherehewas,andwhyhewasthere.“IservedGraceCahillbeforeKGBandafter,whenIservetheBrava.Istillserveher.”He’dusedtheRussianwordforbrotherhood,whichwaswhattheycalledthemafia,whichNellieknewfrommovies.“Iservedheralways.Inthislife,Ihavedoneterriblethings.Ilivedbythecode,thethieves’code,andformycrimes,Iwilldiehere,aloneinthisprison.Iknowshehassentyoutokillme.”

Nelliedroppedtheoldman’shandinshock.“Killyou?”Themannodded.“Ihavefailedher,andthisisherway.Iamready.Please,doitquickly.”Nellie’smouthhungopen.Howcouldthismanthinkshe,NellieGomez,wasanassassinsentby

GraceCahill?ThatwasnotGrace’sway.“I’mnothereto…”Shecouldn’tevensaythewords.She’dneverbeenfearedbefore,andtobe

fearedbyanassassinjustbecauseshe’dmentionedGraceCahill….Itfeltpowerful,butnotinagoodway,likerunningdownasteephillandrealizingtoolateyouhadnowaytostop,goingfasterandfaster.Allshecouldthinktosaywas,“Gracewouldn’twanttokillyou.Shewasn’tlikethat.”

Theman’slipspulledbackfromhisteethinagruesomelaughthatturnedtowheezingbreaths.“Youmakemelaugh,”hesaid.

“No,”saidNellie.“GraceCahillwasnotamurderer.”Theoldman’seyesmetNellie’sagain.Hisbrowfurrowed.“GraceCahillleadmyfamily…”He

paused,thenseemedtorealizesomething.“Ourfamily,yes?”Nellienodded.“Formanyyears,Graceled.

YoudonotleadtheCahillfamilywithoutthestainofbloodonyourhands.”Nelliefeltherownhandsshaking.Thismanconfirmedeverythingthatwasinthatfile,theterrible

orderGracehadgiven.How,Nelliewondered,wouldshebreakthenewstoAmyandDan?“IremembernowthatGraceisgone.”Theoldmansighed.“Ihadforgotten.Thedeadaretoomany

tocountnow,andIhavesofewotherstospeakof.Bothmychildrenaredead.”“Bothyourchildrenarenotdead,”Nellietoldhim.“Irina,yes,shepassedaway,butAlek,heisstill

alive….Wesawhimjustafewhoursago.”ShedecidedtoleaveoutthepartwhereAlekwantedtomurderthem.

“Heisdeadtome,”theoldmansaid.“WhenIrinadied,Itoldhimmyregrets.Alifeofregrets.Andstill,hechosetobeakiller.”TheoldmanreachedouttofindNellie’shandagain.“Iseenowthatyouarenokiller.ButIhaveshockedyou?”

Nellienodded.“WhywouldyouthinkGracewantedtokillyou?”Sammyasked,forwhichNelliewasgrateful.She

wantedtoknow,too,butshecouldn’tfindthewordstospeak.AllshecouldpicturewereAmy’sandDan’sfaceswhenshetoldthemthattheirgrandmotherwascapableofstrikingfearintoanassassin’sheart.

“Ihavekilledmanypeople,”VladimirSpaskysaid.“Toomany.AndtheonlymercifulthingIhaveeverdoneisperhapsthemostterriblethingIhaveeverdone.Thisiswhyyouarehere?Thisiswhyyouhavecomeatlast,NellieGomez,guardianofAmyandDanCahill?Yes,Iknowwhoyouare.Youhavecometomeaspunishmentformysins,whichImustconfess.ImusttellthetruththatIcouldnottellwhileGracelived,myhorriblecrimeagainsttheCahillfamily.FortheonekillingIwascalledtodoanddidnot.”

AsSammyandNellielistenedslack-jawed,theoldassassinmadehislastconfession.

TheStratosphere

“Ithinkwe’reairborne,”saidAmy.“We’vebeeninhereforages.Let’sgetoutofthiscloset.”“Didn’tHamalreadydothat?”Danjoked.“Oh,growup,”mutteredAmy.“Dan,openthedoor,”Iantoldhim.“I’dloveto,”saidDan.“Butit’slocked.”Hejiggledthehandle.Nothinghappened.Hepushedonitwithhisshoulder.Stillnothing.AmyheardDantakeadeepbreath.Hedidn’tsayanythingelsesnarky,andthatwasabadsign.Fear

wassettinginandshecouldfeelherownrisingoncemore.Therewasnowaytoknowhowhighthey’dgotten,howclosetheyweretotheedgeofspace.

Howlongdowehave?shewondered.Howlongbeforetherewasnothingleftofthembutvaporsinthesky?

Ianjostledhiswaytothedoor,squeezingbetweenAmyandDan.Hetriedthehandleagain,asifhehadsomekindofmagicdoor-handle-turningpowersthatDandidn’t.

“She’llbebackshortly,”Iansaid,hisvoicewarblingwithdoubt.Amycouldtellhewaslosinghisconfidenceasaleader.Shewastemptedtocomforthim,totellhim

thatitwasokay;itwasahardjobandhewasdoingfine,buthereallywasn’t.Theywerestuckonanairshiprisingfastintothestratosphere,andiftheydidn’tfigureouthowtostopit,theywereallgoingtodie.

Theywaitedinsilence,inthedark,feelingtheshudderoftheairshipbeneaththeirfeetasitrosehigherandhigher.

Timestretchedon.“Wecan’twaitanymore,”saidAmyatlast.“Wehavetogetoutofhere.”“Iknowthat!”shoutedIan.“Iamopentoideas.”Amyfeltaroundforthedoorknob.Itwasahigh-techlatchwithoutakeyholeontheirsideofthe

door.Therewouldn’tbeawaytopickthelockevenifshehadthetoolsorknewhowtopickalocktobeginwith.Itwasasteeldoor,sonoamountofkicking,pushing,orhittingwasgoingtoopenit.

“Weonlyhaveoneoption,”saidAmy.“Doit,”Iansaid.Amypoundedonthedoor.“Help!”sheshouted.“Letusout!Help!”Aminutepassed.Shepoundedagain.Sheimaginedtheexplosionrippingthroughtheairshipand

wonderedifitwouldhurtwhentheyallwentupinflames.“Help!We’restuck!”Astreakoflightfilledtheroomasthedooropenedslowly.Katlyn,thecrewchief,stoodinfrontof

Amywithanexpressiononherfacelikeshehadjustsuckedthejuiceoutofahundredlemons.“You,”Katlynsaid.“Again.”“Sorry,”saidAmy.“Wehadnochoice.Listen,we’reindanger.Allofus.Someonehassabotaged

thisshipandit’sgoingtoexplodeifitreachestheKarmanLine.Wehavetoland.Now!”

Katlynglancedatthedisplayscreeninthehallway.Amyfollowedhergazeandsawtheiraltitude:115,000feetabovesealevel.“We’regotlessthananhour,”saidKatlyn.“AndIcanassureyou,thereisnobombonboard.TheGreekauthoritiesandourownprivatesecuritywentovereveryinchofthisshipwithbomb-sniffingdogsbeforeliftoff.”

“Uh,hello?”saidDan.“Wesnuckon.Who’stosaysomeoneelsedidn’tsneakon,too?”“Whywouldsomeonesneakonboardthisshiptotrytoblowitup?”Katlynwondered.“That’s

suicide.”“Idon’tknow,”saidAmy.“Butwecanpreventitbylanding.Rightnow.”“Andgiveupouronlyshotattheprize?”Katlynshookherhead.“No.Wehaveworkedyearsfor

thismoment.Ifwecanprovethatorbitalaltitudeispossiblewithanairship,we’llrevolutionizeenergy-efficienttravel.We’llchangetheworld.”

“Ifyouexplodeattheedgeofspace,itwon’tmatter,”saidDan.“We’llallbeblownintostardust.”“WhentheHindenburgexplodeditendedtheeraofthezeppelin,”saidAmy.“Doyouwanttobe

responsibleforthesamethinghappeningagain?”Katlynconsideredit.Shetappedherfingeronherlips.“Yourealizetheonlysuspiciouspeopleon

boardmyshiprightnowareyouthree.HowdoIknowyouaren’ttryingtosabotageusonbehalfofOmniaIndustries?”

“That’spreposterous!”saidIan.“Wouldthreeteenagerslockedinsideabroomclosetreallybethesortsofsaboteursmyfatherwouldsend?”

Katlyn’seyeswidenedatIan.“Yourfather?”“He’s…well…”Ianstammered.Hewasnothelpingtheircaseandheknewit.“Please,”saidAmy,tryingtochangethesubjectbacktotheirimminentfierydeathsattheedgeof

space.“Justcheckoutthecontrolroom.That’sallweask.Youcanarrestusafterward.”“IsupposeI’llhaveto,”saidKatlyn.“Comeon.”Sheledthemdownthehallwaytowardthebladdercontrolroom.Thedisplayonthewallgavetheiraltitudeas121,000feet.Itwasamazingthatyoucouldbarelyfeeltheaccelerationupwardeventhoughtheyweregoingso

fast.Amywonderedifthey’dfeelitcomingdownmuchfaster.

TheStratosphere

“Eriele,”Carasaid.“Whydidyoutaseme?WhyamItiedup?”“BecauseIneedtokeepyoufrominterfering,”saidEriele.“You’rethesaboteur?”Carashookherhead.“Ishould’veknown.”Erielenodded.“AndIhavetothankyouforcomingaboard.AbitterEkatwithplentyof

technologicalknow-howistheperfectscapegoat.”“You’regoingtopinthisonme?”Caraasked.“ButwhywouldIsabotageanairshipthatI’mon?”Erieleshrugged.“Thepresswillcomeupwiththeirownreasons.”121,000feet.121,500feet.122,000feet.Thehighertheygot,thefastertheyrose.Theairshiphissedconstantlynow,strugglingtoadjustthe

gasmixtureastheatmospheregotthinnerandthinner.Theirspeedwouldalsobeincreasingtohelpwiththelift.Carasquirmed,helplessonboardahurtlingblimpofdeath.

Dirigible,sheheardIan’svoicecorrectinginherhead.Shegrittedherteeth.Shehadtowarnhimaboutthisgirlbeforeshetasedhim,too.

Hereyesdartedaroundtheroom.Sheneededtostall.SheneededtofindawaytogetthatTasergunawayfromEriele.Shepulledagainsttheplastictiesonherwrists.Theywereloosening.Asshestruggledagainstherbonds,shealsowatchedErieleonthecomputers,tryingtomemorizeeverythingthegirldidsoshecouldundoitthemomentshegotfree.

ErielenoticedCara’sgaze.“Nicetry,”shesaid,turningCaraaround.“YouthinkI’dletahackerlikeyouseewhatI’mdoing?”

Shereturnedtothekeyboard,butnowCaracouldonlyheartheclickandclackoftyping.“WhathaveyoudonewithIan?”Carademanded.“Why?”Erieleasked.Thetypingstopped.“Jealous?”“I’mnotjealous,”saidCara.Trueornot,itdidn’tmatter.ShejusthadtokeepErieletalking.“It’s

justthatIknowhecoulddobetterthanyou.”“Oh,likeyou?”Erielelaughed.“Don’tworry.IhavenoromanticinterestinIanKabra.He’stoo

muchofawussformytaste.”“Ianisnotawuss!”Carasaid.Andshemeantit.“He’ssmartandhe’sbraveandheiskindinspite

ofhimself.”“Andthat’stheproblem,”saidEriele.“Joiningupwiththeotherbrancheshasmadehimweak.He

isn’twillingtoperformthebrutalworkthatneedstobedonetosecuretheLucianbranch’sfuture.He’snoleader.Now,bequietbeforeIzapyouwiththeTaseragain.”Shetappedafewmorekeysonakeypad.Caragroundherteethtogether.

124,000feet.124,200feet.Theaccelerationhadslowed.“IanKabraisthebestleadertheCahillfamilyhaseverhad,”Carasaid,riskingEriele’sanger.“He

maybeaconceitedmoronsometimes,butheisoneofthefinestpeopleIknowandI’dgladlylaydownmylifeforhim.”

“Youwould?”saidIan,suddenlystandinginthedoorwaytothebladdercontrolroom.Carafelthercheeksblushingred.KatlynrushedpastIanintothecontrolroom.ShestoppedshortwhenshesawtheTaser.“Eriele?

Whatareyoudoing?”“Sorry,Katlyn,”Erielesaid.“Youwon’tbewinninganyprizestoday.”Shehitonemorekey,andtheimagesonthemonitorsflickeredandturnedintogibberish.Katlynshookherhead.“Youcan’tdothis!”“Ialreadyhave,”shesaid.ThenshegrabbedCara’schairfrombehind,wheelingherforwardlikea

shield.ShepressedtheTasertoCara’sneck.“Getoutofmywayoryourgirlfriend’sgoingtobeinforquiteashock.”

“She’snotmygirlfriend,”Iansaidautomatically.Erielescoffed.“Really,”saidIan.“Allshedoesisinsultmeandundermineme.Theonlytimeshehasakindword

aboutmeiswhenI’mnotaroundtohearit.WhatdoIcareifyoushockher?”Cara’snostrilsflaredatIan,butsheunderstoodwhathewasdoing.Itwastheonlywaytoslow

Erieledown.“Sheisasketchy,shady,bullheadedEkatwithasmuchtasteandrefinementasachimpanzeeinthe

zoo,andtothinkthatIwouldevercallsuchagirlmy‘girlfriend’isquitepreposterous.”“You’relying,”saidEriele.“Shockher,”saidIan.“SeeifIcare.ButIwillstopyoufromsabotagingthisship.”CarasawDanglanceatthealtimeter.129,000feet.“Hey,Eriele?”hesaid.“Youknowwhat’s

funny?”“What?”Erieleasked.“You’resobusyyellingatIan,”Dansaid,“youdidn’tnoticeouraltitude.Timetochangethegas

mixture.”Erieleturnedtolookatthealtimeter,butitwastoolate.Therewasahissinginthepipesandthe

wholeairshipshuddered.AmyfellintoIan.KatlynstumbledintothedoorframeandEriele,knockedagainstawall,losthergriponCara.

Carahead-buttedtheTaserfromEriele’shandandAmyrushedforwardtosnatchitfromthefloor,butitbouncedawayastheshudderingintensified.

ErielekickedAmy,whocaughtherlegandtossedherwithajujitsuthrow,butasuddenshuddermadeherlosebalance,too,topplingoverontoCara,whoselegskickedupintoIan’schinashe’dsteppedforwardtohelp.Theywereallonthefloor,strugglingtogettotheirfeet,allbutDan,whoheldontighttothedoorframe.

Erielelungedathim,tacklinghimintothehallwayandjumpingbacktoherfeet.Shestumbleddownthecorridorawayfromthem.

“You’llpayforthis!”Katlyncalledoutfromtheshakingfloor.“Wrong!”Erieleyelledback.“I’llgetpaidforthis,andhandsomely!”

Shevanishedaroundthebendinghall,keepingherselfuprightbyleaningonthewallsassheran.Theshudderingstoppedwhentheyairshipcleared134,000feet.IanuntiedCarafromthechair.“Nicejobdistractingherbeforetheturbulence,”shetoldhim.“I’ll

workonfixingthecontrolshere.Youguysgogether.IfIcan’tbreakthroughhercomputerlockout,we’llneedherhelp.”

“Howwillwegethertoassistus?”Ianwondered.“Ifshe’sstillonboardashipabouttoexplode,she’llhelpus,”Caracountered.“Right,”saidIan.AmyandDanhoppeduptochaseafterEriele.Ian,too,turnedbuthestalledamoment.“Cara…I

…”“Justgogether,”saidCara.ShebentdownandpickeduptheTaser,checkeditscharge,andthen

handedittoIan.“Noonecallsyouahopelessdingbatbutme.”Iansmiledather.CarasqueezedhishandovertheTaser’splasticgrip.ThenheranoffafterAmy

andDan.Caraturnedbacktothecomputers.Katlynwasalreadyatwork.“We’recompletelylockedoutofthesystem,”shesaid.“Ican’tdo

anything.”Caratried.HerfirstattempttogetaroundthefirewallErielehadbuiltdidn’twork.Shelookedatthe

altimeter.135,000feet.135,5000feet.136,000feet.Theywerestillrising,closerandclosertotheKarmanLine.TherewasnowayintothesystemwithoutEriele’shelp.Hackingintheold-fashionedwaywould

takehours,timetheydidn’thave.MakingErieletalkwastheironlyhope.Throughthetinyportholeinthehallway,theearth’ssurfacekeptshrinkingawayfromthem.137,000feet.138,000feet.

TheThermosphere

Theyranandran,whileErieleduckedandwoveaheadofthem.Busyengineeringstudentsdoveoutoftheirway,staringinpuzzlementatthestrangersracingthroughtheirairship.

Thecorridorforked.AmyandDanhadtodecidewhichpassagetotake.“Wecouldsplitup,”Dansuggested.“Lasttimewesplitupyouskydivedfromtwenty-fivemileshigh,”saidAmy.Thedisplayscreenonthenearestwallread200,000feet.Theywere37milesupnow.Hehadno

intentionofjumpingfromthataltitude.Theystillhad25milestogobeforetheyhittheKarmanLine,though.Then,KABOOM.Maybedyinginfreefallwouldhavebeenbetterthanexploding.Dansurprisedhimselfwiththethought.Hadhereallybecomesousedtodeathhecouldthinkabout

hisownsomethodically?“Westicktogether,”saidIan,catchinguptothem.“Wehavetothinklikeshewould.Let’ssayyou

justriggedanairshiptoexplode,onethatyouwerestillon.Whatwouldyoudo?”“Trytogetoffit,”suggestedAmy.“Right,”saidIan.“So,Dan,you’vedonethisbefore.Where’stheexit?”“It’ssuicidetojumpfromthisaltitude,”saidDan.“Shewouldn’t.”“It’ssuicidetostayonboardnowthatshe’ssabotagedtheshiptoblow,”saidAmy.“Sowhere

wouldshegototrytoescape?”“Idon’tknow,”Dantoldher.“ThisisatotallydifferentshipfromtheoneIjumpedoutof.”“Physicsisphysics,Dan,”Amytoldhim.“Thereareonlyafewplacesanairlockcouldbeinthe

designofanyairship.Iknowyoumemorizedthelastoneyouwereon.”“Right,fine,”saidDan.“Idid.”“Sousethatshipasablueprintforthis,”saidAmy.“Trytofindfeaturesthatmatch.”Danthought.Helookedaround.Theotherairshiphadhigherceilings,widercorridors,anda

ballroom.Thisshipwasfarmorefunctional,designedforonethingonly,towin.Andwinningmeantthey’dalldie.Why’dthesestudentshavetobesogoodatdesigningdirigibles?Focus,Dan!hetoldhimself.Focus!215,000feet.Hehadtoconcentrate.Everyonewascountingonhim.Thedesignerswouldwanttominimizefrictionthatcouldslowtheairshipdown.Theengineers

wouldwantanydoors,hatches,oropeningstobetowardthebacktominimizethedragfromairresistance.

Heclosedhiseyes,imaginedhiswaythroughtheotherairshiplikeitwasablueprint.“Wouldyoupleasehurry?”Ianinterruptedhisthinking.“Wearerunningoutofsky.”219,000feet.“I’mthinking!”Dansnappedathim.Heunderstoodtheship’sdesignnow,notjustthewayitlooked

butwhyitlookedthatway.Theballoonwasshapedlikeawingsothatitcouldgeneratethemostliftfrom

itsforwardmotionaswellasitsupwardthrustfromthegas.Thegondolawasadiscsothatairwouldflowsmoothlyaroundit.Andthepointwherethatairwouldslidepastitwouldbeattheback.Anythingjuttingout,likeadoor,forexample,wouldbetuckedbackthere!

Hiseyessnappedopen.“Iknowwhereshe’sgoing!”saidDan.“Thisway!’Heranaheadandtheothertwofollowed.Theyreachedtheendofacorridorwherealadderrose

intoaservicecompartmentabovethepassengerarea,tothehighestleveloftheairship’sgondola,justbelowtheballoon’shull.

“Ithinktheexitwillbeatthebackofthiscompartment,”hesaid.“Youthink?”Ianasked.“I’msure,”saidDan.Iannodded.“Letmegofirst.”IanhelduptheTaser.“I’marmed.”“Just”—AmytouchedIan’sshoulder—“becareful.”“Andremember,Caraneedsheralive!”Danadded.Iannoddedandclimbeduptheladder.Amygrabbedtherungsandstoppedbeforesheclimbedup.Shelookedbackatherbrother.“Ifthis

doesn’twork,”shesaid,“IwantyoutoknowyouwerethebestbrotherIcouldhavehopedfor.Evenifyouwereapain.”

Danjustsmiledather.“Amy,”hesaid,“thisisgoingtowork.”SheclimbedandDanfollowedher.Hereallyhopedhewasright.He’dhateforhislastwordstohisbigsistertohavebeenalie.

Thecompartmenthadaceilingsolowtheyallhadtocrouch,evenDan,Amynoticed.Theycreptpasthosesandpipesandelectricalconduits,junctionboxeswithblinkinglights.Theinnardsoftheship.

Ifsomeonewantedtodosomerealdamage,thiswastheplacetodoit.Whyhadn’tErielejustskippedthewholecontrolroomhackanddoneherdamageuphere?“Stupidthing,latchon!”Erielemutteredsomewhereinthemazeofpipes.Ianheldhisfingerstohis

lips,tellingAmyandDantobequiet.Theyfannedout,creepingtowardthesoundofhervoiceinawidearcsothatifshetriedtorun,she’drunintooneofthem.

ErielewasclimbingintoajumpsuitjustliketheoneDanhadwornforhisdive.ItwasevenbrandedwiththeGasFlightXtremelogo.Shemusthavestolenitearlierandstasheditawayonboardthisshiponceshe’dseenitwork.Thefirstjumpershadbeenherguineapigs…Danhadbeenherguineapig.Amyfeltlikethey’dbeenplayedforfoolsfromtheverybeginning.

Erielewas,however,havingtroublegettingoneofthehosesfromtheairpacktoconnecttothecontrolsonherglove.

“Noteasytoputonbyyourself,isit?”askedDan.“YoulearnontheInternet,too?”Erielelookedup.“Stayback,”shewarned.HereyesdartedfromDantoAmy,thentoIan.“Letme

go.”“TellCarahowtoundothedamageyoucausedtothecomputersandyoucanflytothemoonforall

itconcernsus,”saidIan.“Youshouldbethankingme,”Erielesnarledathim.“Iamdoingwhatyou’retooweaktodo

yourself.”“Youkeepsayingthat,”saidIan.“ButIdonotbelievethatmyreluctancetomurderinnocentstudents

whiletheworldwatchesisweakness.”“Murder?”Erielesaidasshefinallysnappedthehoseintoitssocketwithahiss.Shereachedforher

helmet.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“TheOutcast’splanneddisaster,”saidIan.“Idon’tworkfortheOutcast,”saidEriele.“Iworkforyourfather.”“HeworksfortheOutcast,”saidIan.“It’sallthesame.Youareinleaguewithmyfathertoblowup

thisairship.Iwillnotletthathappen.”HeglancedatAmyandDan.“Wewillnotletthathappen.”Erieleshookherhead.“Youidiot.Yourfatherpaidmetodowhatyouwouldn’tdo…tosabotage

thisshipsoit’dneverreach327,000feet,sothatitcan’twinthecompetition.”“Thecompetition?”Ianwrinkledhisbrow.“Thisisjustaboutthecompetition?”“Ofcourse!”saidEriele.“WheredoyouthinkLucianwealthandpowercomesfrom?This

technologyhere,thecontractsthatwillcomefromwinningthiscompetition,theyaregoingtobeworthbillions!”

“Myfatherwaslyingtoyou,”saidIan.“Whateverhehadyoudo,it’sgoingtoblowupthisship.”“Youmustreallyhatehimtothinkthatofyourownfather.”Erieleclutchedthehelmetbeneathher

armandsteppedtotheairlockdoorbehindher.“Itoldhimhowtosabotagethisshipwithouthurtinganyoneandhetoldmetodoit.HehadtopLuciansonalltheotherships,buthetrustedmewiththisone.”

“Heusedyoutolureushere,”saidIan.“Now,tellushowtoundowhatyou’vedone.”“AllIdidwassetthegasmixturetogetheavierwhenwehit326,000feet.Wewon’texplode.We

justwon’tascendanymore.That’sit.”“Ifthere’snodanger,thenwhyareyoujumpingout?”askedDan.“BecauseIdon’twanttogotojail,kid!”Erielesaid.“That’swhattherestofyouarefor.”She

smirkedatDan.“Don’tworry,youandIwillbetheonlyonestoknowthatIbeatyourworldrecord.I’mnotabouttocallapressconference.”

Sheopenedthedoorintotheairlockcompartment.IandrewhisTaserandpointeditather.Shemethiseyes.Thealtimeterread250,000feet.“Don’tdoit,”Danwarnedher.“Atthisheightthere’snotenoughairresistance.You’llgointoan

uncontrolledspinwhileyou’refallingwaytoofast.Youwon’tbeabletogetoutofitand,like,bloodwillpouroutofyoureyeballs.Youwon’tsurvive.”

“Unlikeyou,Dan,Itrainedforthis.”“Listentomybrother,Eriele,”saidAmy.“Heknowsaboutthisstuff.He’stryingtosaveyou.”“Sorry,kids,”Erielesaid.“ThisiswhereIleaveyou.”ShebegantoclosetheairlockdoorwhenIan’shandroseup.Ablueboltshotfromtheendofthe

TaserandhitErielesquareinthechest.Shefellbackagainstthehull,hard,twitchingandsquirming.Hereyesrolledbackinherheadand

thehelmetfellfromhergrasp.Iankickeditawayfromher.“Shewon’tbegettingawaynow,”hesaid.“Yeah,”Amyadded.“Butshealsowon’tbeconscioustohelpus.Weneedher.”“She’salive,”Ianreplied.“Weneedherawake.”“Shesaidtheshipwasn’tgoingtoexplode,”saidIan.“Whatifshewaswrong?”saidAmy.“TheOutcasthasmanipulatedeveryonetobejustwherehe

wantsthem,movingusaroundlikechesspieces.Whatifthisishowhegetsridofusforgood?”Silencefell.Ianclenchedhisjaw.“Imadeanexecutivedecision,”saidIan.“Rightorwrong,I’mtheleaderandImadethedecision

thatshewastellingthetruth,thatshedidn’twanttokillanyone.Shewantedtogetrich.”

“Buthowcanyouknowthat?”Danwondered.“You’regamblingwithourlives!”“That’swhatleadershipis!”Ianyelledback.“Youofeveryoneshouldknowthat!”Ianhadtearsinhiseyes.Amysawtheweightofresponsibilitycrashingdownonhim.Hewasright.Theyallstaredoutofthesmallportholeattheotherendoftheairlockintotheblacknessofspace.

Theloweratmosphereradiatedbluebelowthem,likeanoceanabovetheearth.“Ifyou’rewrong,Ian.”Amyshookherhead,barelyabletofindthewords.“Ifyou’rewrong,thisis

itforus.We’reallgoingtodiewhenwehit327,000feet.”Sheglancedatthealtimeter.265,000feetandclimbing.“Imadeadecision,”Ianrepeated,hisjawsetbuthisfacelosingitscolor.Amyknewthefeelingall

toowell.Thedoubtcreepingin.Thefearoffailure.Thefearofputtingthepeopleyouloveindanger.LeadershipwastakingitstollonIanKabra.AllAmycouldwonderwas,whatwouldGracehavedoneinthissituation?“Let’sgobacktotheothers,”shesuggested.OnethingGraceCahillalwayscountedonwasfamily,eventotheend.Especiallyattheend.

TheThermosphere

Bythetimetheygotbacktothecontrolroom,thealtimeterread310,000feet.Katlynwasonaredphonetalkingfranticallytothecaptain.

“Ican’tgetbackintothesystemtochangethegasmixture!”Caracriedoutwhenshesawthem.“MakeErieletellushow!”

“Wecan’t,”saidIan.“Ianturnedherofflikealight,”Dantoldthem.Caracockedherheadathim.“Thatwasnotverysmart.”“Shewasgoingtojump,”Dansaid.“Forty-sevenmilesup.”Hemadeawhistlingsoundto

emphasizetheverylongfallshehadinstore.“Itwastheonlywaytostopher.Noonedeservestobesplatteredintohumangravitygoo,notevenaruthlessLuciansaboteurlikeher.”

“Shesaidwe’renotgoingtoexplode,”AmytoldCaraandKatlyn.“Justthatwewon’treachtheKarmanLine.Wewon’twin.”

“That’sit?”saidCara.“Shetasedmeforthat?”“Well,winningthiscontestisworthbillionsofdollars,”Iansaid.“Don’tyoudaredefendher,IanKabra,”Caratoldhim.“Ididn’tmeanto—I—”Ianstammered.Amyshookherhead.ThosetworeallyhadtoworkouttheirromanticissuesASAP.Ifthesewerethe

lastmomentsofherlife,shedidn’twanttospendthemwatchingthetwoofthemflirt-arguewitheachother.

Thealtimeterread315,000feet.Shegrabbedherbrother’shand.Theystoodinsilenceastheairshiprose.“320,000feet,”Katlynsaid.“Ithinkwe’regonnamakeit!”AmyfeltDansqueezeherhand.Herownpalmswereclammywithsweat.WhatifIanwaswrong?

Whatiftheywereabouttoexplode?CarabitherlipandIangrabbedherhand.“Doyoutrustme?”heaskedher.“Itrustyou,”Carasaid.Amylookedatherbrother.Dangaveherasmile.Hischeekswerepaleandhislipquiveredbut

still,hesmiled.“Youknowwhat,Kabra?Don’taskmewhy,butItrustyou,too.”IanlookedtoAmy.Hiseyeswerewideassaucers.Hisupperlipbeadedwithpanickedsweat.She

knewwhathewantedtohear.Knewwhatheneededtohear.Shewasn’tsureshebelievedit,butifthesewerethelastwordssheeverspoke,shecouldn’timaginebetterones.

“Itrustyou,”shesaid.“Itrustallofyou.”Maybeshedidbelievethemafterall.Iantookadeepbreathandclosedhiseyes,stillholdingCara’shand.Caraclosedhereyes,too.So

didDan.Amytookabreathandletitoutslowly.Shebracedherself.

325,000feet.Themomentoftruth.Shedidn’tclosehereyes.326,000feet.Analarmsounded.AmygrabbedDanandhuggedhimagainsther.“Iloveyou,Dan,”shesaid.Thegasabovethemhissed.Andthentheystartedtodescend.325,000feet.323,000feet.320,000feet.319,000feetandholding,8,000feetshyoftheKarmanLine.“Whatdoyoumeanyoucan’tascend?”Katlynyelledintothephone.“Thegasmixture’stooheavy?

That’sall?FIXIT!FIXIT!”Shelistenedamomentandthenslammeddownthephone.Shewavedherhandatthegibberishon

themonitors.“Eriele,ifthatisevenherrealname,reallymessedusup.Nowaytowinnow.”“Sothat’sthat?”Amysaid.“Ian,youwereright.We-we’realive!”RelieffloodedherasDanpushed

awayfromherhug,runningahandthroughhishairandpretendinghedidn’thaveatearinhiseye.“IbelievewebeattheOutcastathisowncrookedgameforasecondtime,”Iangloated.“Nottoo

shabby.Ofcourse,hisso-calleddisasterwasjustmisdirectiontokeepusdistractedfromthebigcheatmyfatherhadplanned.”

“Misdirection,”Amyrepeated.Thenherbloodturnedtoiceinherveins.“Erielesaidyourfatherwantedyouonthisship,nottheLucianone.”

“Yes,and?”Iansaid.“Myfathernevermuchwantedmearoundhimforhisvictories.Hedidn’tbelieveI’dearnedthem.”

“Butyousaidyourfatherwasn’tactuallyonboardtheLucianairship,washe?”Amycontinued.“That’sright,”saidIan.“HelefthishiredthugsonboardwiththeolderLucianleaders.”“Thesameleaderswhocuthimoffafteryourmother’s…”Shesearchedfortherightword.

“Downfall?”Iannodded,realizationdawningonhim.“Oh,no,”hesaid.Together,theyallrushedtothecorridorandfoundthenearestwindowstopeeroutintothevoid.Theiraltimeternowread316,000feet,butbesidethem,lessthan500feetaway,theLucianairship

rose.Foramomentitseemedtohang,litbrightlybythesunagainstthebluemarbleoftheearth.Cloudsswirledbelow.ThenitsmassivealuminumballoonroseandtheirairshipfellintotheLucianairship’sshadow.Itblockedthelightfromthemforjustamoment,lookingalmostlikeitwasbiggerthanthesunitself,thenitrosehigherandhigherstill.Theycranedtheirneckstowatch.

ItonlytookanotherminutebeforetheLucianshiphadascendedfarabovethem,milesabove,certainly,theythought,righttotheKarmanLine,62milesabovethesurfaceoftheearth,theedgeofspace.

TheLucianairshiphadwon.

Amysawablinkinglightpassfarbeyondthem,amereglowingspeck.“TheInternationalSpaceStation,”Danobserved.“Itorbitsinspacetwohundredandfivemilesup.”Forafractionofasecond,thethreevehiclesappearedinaperfectlineandnodoubttheastronauts

aboardtheISSwerelookingdownevenasDan,Amy,Cara,andIanwerelookingup.AndthatwaswhentheLucianairshipexploded.

Attleboro,Massachusetts

TheOutcastturnedonthenewsasafirecrackledinthegrand-libraryfireplace.Someoverlycoiffedforeigncorrespondentforoneofthe24-hourso-callednewsnetworkswas

explainingabouttheairshipcompetition,thentheshotcutawayandthecamerazoomedupintothesky,whereoneairshipdescendedtoitsdockingstationontheAcropolis.Inthedistantatmosphere,anotherburnedbrightlikeabrutalstar.Bitsofflamingshrapnelstreakeddowntoearthatsupersonicspeeds.SirenswailedalloverAthens.Theskywasliterallyfallingontheone-timecenterofhumancivilization.

“It’sterrible,”thenewsanchornarrated.“Greekcitizensofthisnoblecityareseekingshelter.Nooneknowswherethejaggedmetalwillfall.Wedon’thaveanaccuratecountforhowmanycasualtiesthereareonthegroundyet,butwearegettingreportsthattherewerethirty-sixcrewandpassengersonboard,manyofthemtitansofindustryandfinance!Thereisnohopethatanycouldsurvive.Thisbringstomindthelastgreatairshiptragedy,theHindenburg,which,ironically,alsoresultedinthedeathsofthirty-sixpeople.”

“Oh,thehumanity,”theOutcastsaidtohimself,hislipsformingtheedgesofsmirk.Heshutoffthetelevision.

AtonesoundedandthepaintingoverthemantelinthegrandlibraryslidasidetorevealVikramKabra’sgrimfacepeeringdown.

“You’veseenthenews,Vikram?”theOutcastasked.“Ihave,”saidVikramKabra.“AndAlekinformsmethattheMoscowbasehasbeenwipedoutaswell,”hesaid.“Fewer

casualtiesthanyouwould’veliked,buttheyaresufficientlybroken.Aspromised,youarethelastoftheLucianleadership.Congratulationsonyourtriumphantreturntopower.”

“Andmysonissafe?”Vikramasked.“Alsoaspromised,”saidtheOutcast.“Theywereallonthewrongairship.Youdidwellthrowing

themoffthescent,butIdowonder,Kabra,ifyoureallyhavethestomachtoseethisplanthroughtotheend.You’refartoosentimental.”

“Iwantnoharmtocometomyonlyson,”VikramKabratoldtheOutcast.“Idon’tcarewhathappenstotheothers.Idon’tthinkthatisbeingoverlysentimental.”

“Ianissafe,fornow,”theOutcasttoldhim.“Butknowthis:IfhestandsinthewayofmegettingwhatIwantfortheEkatbranchandformyself,Iwillnothesitatetokillhim.”

“Ifitcomesdowntoit,”saidVikram.“IwilldecidewhatbecomesofIan,justasyouwilldecidewhatbecomesofyourfamily.”

“AsIsaid”—theOutcastshrugged—“sentimental.”Heshutoffthescreenwithoutsayinggood-bye,andthepaintingslidbackintoplaceinfrontofit.Thenhebentdownandpulledathickleatherbookfromtheshelf,openingittorevealthekeycard

inside.Heinsertedthekeycardintoasafehe’dinstalledbeneaththelibraryfloorandheardthesoftclickof

thelatchpoppingopen.Inside,hepulledoutasmallenvelopeandremovedaglassvialfromwithin.Hestudieditinthefirelight.

HeimaginedtheCahillchildrenrunningaroundfranticintheruinsofAthens.Foolishchildren.Theythinktheskyhasfallen.Butithasnotyetevenbeguntofall.Insidehiscrate,Saladinhissed.“That’sright,kitten,”theOutcastcrooned,tiltingthevialinhishandtobendthefirelightthroughthe

brownliquidwithin.“Onegrammeltedamber.”

Athens,Greece

BythetimetheirairshiptoucheddownagainattheloadingdockontheAcropolis,thepresswasswarming,emergencysirenshowled,andfranticpreservationistswerestringingwiremeshovertheruinstoprotectthemfromtheburningshrapnelcrashingtotheearth.Amywasawedthattherewerepeopleintheworldwho’drisktheirownsafetytosaveancientruins.ShewonderedifsomeofthemweredistantCahillrelatives.ItseemedlikethesortofjobforaCahilltodo.Theywerethekeepersofhistory.

Exceptsometimestheyfailed.Liketoday.Andthirty-sixpeopleweredeadbecauseofit.ThethoughthitAmylikeapunchinthethroat.“Ithinkitbestifwemakeourselvesscarce,”Iansuggested,tuggingatherarm.Shenodded,andthe

groupslippeddownfromthedockingtower.Theyduckedbehindanambulancetohidefromthepress.Katlynwasalreadyspeakingintothecameraofonenewsorganization.

“Wearehorrifiedbytheattackonourfellowcompetitors,”shesaid.“Butweremainpreparedtodemonstratethesafetyandefficiencyofairshiptravel.”

“She’ssingle-minded,”Caranoted.“Ijustcan’tbelievemyfatherdidthis,”Iansaid.“Killedallthosepeople?”Danasked.“BecausethatseemsjustliketheVikramKabraIremember.”“No,”saidIan.“HethrewmeofftheLucianairship…tosaveme.”Amysawhimstrugglingwiththethoughtthatheowedhislifetothesamemurdererwho’dblownup

theairship,thesamemurdererwho’dplottedagainsthimanddisownedhim,andbetrayedhimoverandoveragain.

AmylookedoveratCara,whohadrestedherhandonIan’sback.TherewasatimeAmythoughtthatIanhadacrushonher.He’dblownthatinspectacularfashion,beingaboutasconceitedandduplicitousasanyKabracouldbe.ShehopedIanwouldn’tblowitthesamewaywithCaraPierce.Amyhadreallycometolikethatgirl.ShewasgladIanhadafriendtohelpgetthroughthegriefthatwassuretocome.Hewasstilltheleaderofthefamilyandonhiswatchthirty-sixpeoplehadjustbeenkilled.TheywerebloodthirstyLucians,buttheirdeathswerestillatragedy.

“Yo,Kabra.”Jonahappearedaroundthebackoftheambulance.“Igotacarwaiting,Ham’sdriving,andwebetterjetbeforetheGreekcopsstartsaskingquestions.”

“Ham?”Amyasked.“He’sout?”“Inmorewaysthanone,”Dansaid,butnoonefeltmuchlikelaughingatthemoment.“Mylawyersearnmorethantheirsdo,”Jonahsaid.“Plus,Imadeadonationtothemayor’s

reelectionfund.”“AJanusthinkinglikeaLucian,”Ianmarveled.“Theworldreallyhasturnedonitshead.”“Guessso,”saidJonah.“Okay,everyone,”Iancommanded.“Let’sfollowJonah.”Amyandtheothers,ofcourse,alreadyhad,andIanhadtojogtocatchup.Themomenttheyclimbedintothebigblacksedan,Hamiltoneasedthecarfromtheparkinglotwith

anauthoritativewaveatthesecurityguards,asifitwasperfectlynaturalforavanofkidstobedrivingawayinthemiddleofanaerialdisaster.

Amystaredoutthewindow,lostinherownthoughts.Ian’sfatherandtheOutcasthaddistractedthemonpurpose,putthemonthewrongairshiptokeep

themoccupiedwhileheworkedhiscruelplanelsewhere.They’dbeenrunningaroundtryingtostophim,andithadallbeenpointless.

ShewonderedwhattheOutcast’sendgamewas.He’dtakenouttheLucianleadership,whowerealreadyonhisside,killedcountlessinnocentpeople,anddestroyedapotentiallyprofitableindustry…andforwhat?Whatdidhegain?

Sofar,hisonlygainseemedtobekeepingAmy,Dan,Ian,Cara,Jonah,andHambusytryingtostophim.

Andnowthey’dfailed.Herphonebuzzedinherpocketandshepulleditout.TherewasatextfromAuntBeatrice’snumber.

TieGame

Amy’sfaceturnedred.Shepressedthecall-backbutton.Shebracedherselfasthephonerang.Shewastiredoffeelinghelpless.Shewastiredofchasingdisasters.Shewantedtochasethecause

ofthedisasters.ShewantedtobringthefighttohimandbringhimtojusticeforAuntBeatriceandforallthosepeopleontheairshiphe’ddestroyed.

Itwasn’taprettyfeeling,butAmydidn’tonlywantjustice.Shewantedrevenge.Hercallwenttovoicemail.“Listentome,whoeveryouare,”Amysaidcoldlyintothephone.“YouarenotfittoleadtheCahill

familyandIpromiseyouthis:Wewillfindyou,wewillstopyou,andwewillwin.Youhearme?”Sheknewshewasyellingnow.Shecouldn’thelpit.“Youcan’ttreatuslikepawnsinyourgameanymore!Wewillendyou,youmonster!Youhearme?We.Will.End.You!”

Shehungupthephone.Theotherswerestaringather.“Sorry,”shesaid.“Ijustwantedhimtoknowweweren’tbackingdown.”OnelookatIantoldAmythattheywereonthesamepage.HisfacewasfilledwiththatcoldKabra

furysheknewalltoowell.“Intense,”Dansaid.“Butyou’reright.”Helookedupattheskythroughwhichhe’dsorecently

flown.“Wehavetostophim.Whateverittakes.”“Andwewill,”saidIan.TheywereCahills,oneandall,andtheydidnotdofailure.Theywouldnotbevictims.Theywould

notlettheOutcastdefeatthem.Amy’sphonebuzzedinherhandoncemore.Foramoment,shefeareditwastheOutcastcalling

backtogloat,butherheartliftedlikeanairshipwhenshesawitwasNelliecalling.“Oh,Nellie,didyouseewhathappened?”Amy’svoicecracked.“Isaw,kiddo,”Nelliesaid.“AndI’msosorry,butI’mgladtohearyourvoice.Areyouguysall

okay?”“We’reallsafe,”saidAmy.“Butwe’reprettyfarfromokay.”“Areyousittingdown?”Nellieasked.“Yeah,”saidAmy.“We’reinthecar.”“Listen,Ihatetomakethingsworseforyourightnow,”saidNellie.“ButIhavesomenews.”“Whatisit?”Amyasked.Shedidn’tlikethequaverinNellie’svoice.“Firstoff,”Nelliesaid,“theOutcastdestroyedtheLucianbaseinMoscow.Idon’tknowhowmany

peoplehekilled,but—butitwasbrutal,Amy.Gruesome.Heusedanacidbomb.”Nelliewasnotsomeoneeasilyrattled,butshesoundedshakenup.“He’swipingouttheotherbranches,”Amysaid,suddenlyawareofapartoftheOutcast’splanthat

hadbeeninvisiblebefore.Thiswasthemisdirection,perhaps.AllthisdeathanddestructionjusttokeepthembusysohecouldattacktheLucianbranch?

“There’smore,”Nelliecontinue.“Braceyourself,kiddos.Gracewasn’texactlythewomanwe

thoughtshewas.”“Whatdoyoumean?”Amyasked.Shefeltherchesttightening,aterriblesenseofforeboding.“Justwait,”Nelliesaid.“Pleaseremember,Amy,thatyouareyourownperson.You’renotyour

mother,oryourfather,andyou’renotyourgrandmotherGrace.YouareAmyCahillandyouareoneofthemostamazingpeopleIhaveeverknown.Idon’twantyoutoforgetthat.”

“Okay…”saidAmy,bitingherlipnow.“Nellie,you’reworryingme.”“Ithinkyouneedtobeworried,kiddo,”Nelliesaid.“BecauseGrace’shusband…yourgrandfather

…well…”SheheardNellieswallowloudly,thentakeadeepbreath.“Yourgrandfatherisalive.Andhe’sgotaverygoodreasontowantrevenge.”

SneakPeekThinktheOutcastcan’tgetanymoredevious?Thinkagain.HisnextterrifyingchallengeforAmyandDanwillpushtheCahillstothelimits.Whatdoeshehaveinstore?FindoutinDOUBLECROSSBook3:MissionHurricane.

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