Breaking Sky by Cori McCarthy

blindly out of the hangar doors—and right into her. They’d all be dead in a flash of scorching jet fuel.
    â€œPippin! Help!” Her words were lost in the roaring collapse of a nearby building. Chase went back to the scrap and pulled with everything she had. This was going to end badly. Both Streakers would be blown up. Both teams would die because she had to break orders. Had to land.
    She yanked harder, choking on swears, but suddenly, her hands weren’t alone. Her arms were a pair among many as shoulders pushed into her own. The group pulled as one, and the piece screeched as it slid off Dragon and smashed on the ground.
    Before anyone could speak, Pegasus flew by with a shriek of furious speed. Arrow threw out a protective arm that slammed into Chase’s chest.
    â€œThat’s just Sylph,” Chase yelled over the fire’s destruction. She loosened his grip on her chest and pushed him away with both hands. “She’s on our side.”
    â€œMostly,” Pippin croaked. Arrow’s RIO laughed at that—a desperate sound amid the chaos.
    â€œCome on. I’ll lead you—” she started, but Arrow cut her off.
    â€œWe’re forgetting something.” His eyes searched the runway, his demeanor slightly frozen. Black smears ran down his face and into his long hair. Finally he pointed.
    The fuel truck was mere feet from one of the burning buildings. Chase watched as the ground underneath it began to burn.
    â€œDown!” Arrow yelled. He was on top of her so fast, over Pippin and his RIO too, shielding them with his body.
    The sky lit up like daylight.
    The explosion shook the air and speared his hearing.
    Moments later, they were all standing, staring. Dazed. Pegasus flew by again, but this time Arrow was struck still. Chase gripped the shoulders of his T-shirt and yelled his call sign into his face. The orange blare of fire danced over his blue eyes, but they were static.
    She shouted at his RIO. “Help him!”
    The RIO smacked Arrow. Hard. “Tristan!” he yelled. “Snap to. We’ve got to get out of here.”
    Arrow pulled at his ears and worked his jaw like the blast had taken out his hearing.
    She took hold of his shirt again. “Tristan.” His eyes locked on hers. Unlike his call sign, his name was a link straight through to him. “Get in your bird. Follow me home.”
    He nodded.
    Chase and Pippin climbed into their Streaker while Phoenix ’s team returned through the hole in the smoking hangar. In a few rasping breaths, she’d flung Dragon up into the night. Pippin held on to her shoulder while they circled what was left of JAFA.
    â€œYou think they’ll make it?” His question was barely out when the hangar roof began to collapse.
    â€œCome on ,” Chase whispered.
    As if he didn’t want to make her wait, the rest of the building flew apart as Phoenix broke through the flames and into her sky.

BRAVO

13
LOST THE BUBBLE
Which End Is Up?
    The syrup was a golden brown lake spreading across Chase’s plate. Her French toast was a raft to nowhere.
    â€œHey, Ender, come back to the starship,” Pippin said from across the table.
    â€œI hate when you call me Ender.” She skewered her fork through the starchy stack. “And what does that even mean?”
    â€œIt means I’m worried about you.”
    â€œWasn’t Ender the boy the military used to beat all those bugs?”
    â€œIt’s just a story,” Pippin said. “What I wouldn’t give to be battling swarms of crickets instead of the Ri Xiong Di.”
    Crickets? What was happening? Chase’s ears still hummed from the roar of collapsing buildings, her throat stung from the smoke, and yet it was French toast morning in the chow hall. “This doesn’t feel right.” She motioned to the crowd of cadets elbow-jostling over vats of syrup. “Everything seems normal.”
    Six hours ago, the flight