Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lost Stars by Claudia Gray, Phil Noto

thought to improve class rankings through such a stunt will have cause
for regret.” He strode toward the main door panel, pressed his hand to it, and said, “How many cadets had access to this room, alone, between Cadet Kyrell’s last visit and this
inspection?”
    The flat monotone of a synthesized voice replied, “One.”
    “And who was that?” Harn barked.
    “L-P-eight-eight-eight.”
    Ciena had misheard the computer. She had to have.
    But then the computer continued, finishing its answer: “Cadet Ciena Ree.”
    “I would never do such a thing,” Ciena swore in Commandant Deenlark’s office, as she stood at attention before his long obsidian desk. “Notto anyone,
but especially not to Thane.”
    “And why not? He was your only competition for the top rank in the class, yes?”
    “But—he’s my friend.”
    “Friendship rarely endures ambition.”
    Ciena’s stomach churned so violently she had to fight not to be sick on the floor. This nightmare had swallowed her whole. Not only had she seen Thane’s shocked look of dismay, not
only had the entireclass glared at her as she was hastily marched out of the repair bay, but also—and worst of all—her honor was in tatters, and she didn’t know whether she could
salvage it.
    What happens if I’m thrown out of the academy?
Her thoughts raced wildly while she maintained her rigid posture and best attempt at outward composure.
I’ll never become an
Imperial officer. Maybe I could still get workas a pilot, but I couldn’t return home to Jelucan, not ever. My parents couldn’t even allow me in the house without the rest of the
kindred shunning us.
    No. She couldn’t put her mother and father through that. If she were expelled, Ciena would have to travel to some completely unknown planet and start over, completely alone.
    The doors of Deenlark’s office slid open, and the commandantbarked, “We’re still dealing with this situation.”
    “Sir. Yes, sir.” Harn quickly stood at attention. “But another cadet has stepped forward with critical information.”
    The mixture of terror and hope flooding through her made Ciena unable to speak, even when Jude walked through the door, a tablet in her hands. Once Commandant Deenlark motioned impatiently for
Jude to begin, she spokeas calmly and evenly as if she were reading a list of machine parts. “Sir. Cadet Jude Edivon of Bespin, T-I-eight-zero-three, reporting in. A thorough review of the
data reveals that at the time Cadet Ree supposedly entered the repair bay to tamper with Cadet Kyrell’s ship, she was in fact with me and her other roommate, Cadet Idele, in our bunk.
I’ve pulled up data logs that show her leavingthe martial arts arena, entering the lift, and coming into our room, and there is no correlating record of her departure.”
    Ciena felt almost faint with relief, but Deenlark continued to frown. “Data logs can themselves be tampered with, Cadet Edivon.”
    Jude nodded. “It is my belief that someone not only sabotaged Cadet Kyrell’s ship but also the repair bay computer, in order to make itlook as though Cadet Ree was the one
responsible. In short, sir, I believe she was framed.”
    “Your beliefs are meaningless without evidence, Cadet Edivon,” said the commandant. Ciena didn’t dare hope that Jude and Kendy’s testimony on its own could clear her. If
so, wouldn’t he have said so already?
    “Sir—I hesitate to name the person who seems to be responsible for this sabotage, becausewhile the data is clear, it is not absolute proof.” Jude’s fingers tightened
around the tablet, as if she were afraid the information would be snatched from her.
    Why are you holding back?
Ciena wanted to shout.
Who did this to me?
    Commandant Deenlark stood up, and he was tall enough to tower over even the willowy Jude. “Report your findings.”
    Jude gave Ciena an apologetic glance.“Sir, it appears that the person responsible for framing Cadet Ree was…Cadet Thane Kyrell