Page 70 of Aviatrix

“I am not authorized to disclose that information, Captain Kinley Quay,” she replies in that eerie, pleasant tone.

Eli chuckles. “Starting to think maybe hopping into that mystery ship wasn’t your finest moment?”

“Not a chance,” I mutter.

But before I can get another word in, VAL’s voice breaks through, clipped and urgent.

“Traffic alert. Unidentified aircraft approaching our twelve o’clock, closing fast.”

My hands fly to the controls. “Visual acquired. It’s gray. Sleek. No visible insignia.”

“I see it,” Eli barks through comms. “That’s not one of ours.”

The ship slices through the clouds like a scalpel, closing the distance with terrifying speed. My pulse spikes. It looks identical to the ships that attacked the White House.

Time to find out exactly what VAL is made of.

“VAL, options?” I demand.

“Engaging evasive protocol. Suggest banking hard right, descending five hundred feet, and accelerating to maximum velocity.”

“Copy that.”

I push the stick right. VAL groans as the force shoves me into the seat. Clouds whip past the canopy as we dive. The enemy ship follows.

“Still on your six,” Eli reports. “Coming in hot.”

“I noticed,” I grind out. “Can you get behind him?”

“Trying.”

I juke left, then snap-roll to the right. The gray ship mirrors every move.

“Persistent bastard,” I murmur.

“Quay,” Eli’s voice strains, “they’re locking on.”

“VAL, deploy countermeasures. Now!”

“Deploying flares,” VAL confirms.

Twin flames burst behind me, trailing smoke. The ship jerks sideways, momentarily disoriented.

“Nice flying,” Eli says.

“Thanks,” I breathe.

“We need to lose this ship,” he adds. “Now.”

“VAL, punch it.”

“Pushing engines to maximum. Speed increasing. Altitude dropping.”

My stomach lurches as we dive low, skimming treetops. Wind howls past the canopy. Around us, the mountain range blurs. I can almost taste the tension in the air.

“He’s accelerating again,” Eli warns. “I don’t think we’re shaking him.”

“I’m not planning to,” I say. “I’m planning to outfly him.”