Page 72 of Sunrise

There’s absolutely no reason my research shouldn’t be bumped to the next level. I’ve got something amazing here, and if I’m just given a chance, I could change the way we fuel our satellites. What we use now is hydrazine based, which is toxic and must be handled with great care. What I’ve proposed is a new form of fuel that can be just as efficient but is much safer. I wanted to bring my discovery to the annual summit, but Bill told me I needed more data analysis done before the project could be presented there.

“I’m really sorry,” he says, apologizing for the bad news we all got.

“It’s not your fault, James.”

“He should have brought you to the summit instead of me.”

“No, you’ve earned every right to be there, too.” It still stings that Bill chose James over me, but James has busted his ass just as much as I have. And with the budget cuts we’ve been facing, only one of us could go with him. That’s the breaks.

“Whether it ever goes anywhere or not, you’ve put in a lot of hours on this project, Soph. Be proud.”

“I am. And you should be too.” My success is his success as well as our amazing team’s success. I didn’t get here alone. I just blazed the trail for us and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve done so far. I was able to put together a stellar team of scientists for this project, and if we can get the green lightsomehow, I’m going to put my mark on space and lead us all to glory.

I’ll have to try harder. Speak louder, so I’m heard. Work more to make this happen.

Whatever it takes.

“I’m still holding out hope,” I say cheerfully. “Bill and I are having lunch at the Wayford. Maybe he can tell me how to make this happen. It’s too huge for even him to walk away from. He has to know that.”

James snarfs his drink. “The Wayford? That’s fancy and uncharacteristic of him. He’s so cheap all the time.” We both glance over at the generic coffee pods. “Well, get something extra expensive since he’s paying.”

“You know it.” I fist bump him and leave the breakroom refueled and ready for anything.

???

“I’m sorry,what?” My hands clench into fists on my lap as I glower at Bill.

“He submitted his research weeks ago and presented at the summit, Sophie.”

I’m frozen in shock.

Hisresearch?

HISresearch?

I think someone slipped me drugs. I’mhallucinating. Or maybe I’ve gone fucking mental.

“That’s not possible,” I grit out through clenched teeth. “Bill, youknowthis was my project. My fucking…” I lower my tone. “Mywork. It’s all I’ve focused on for the better part of two goddamn years!”

“You mean James.”

“No.” No. No, no, no, no. “Is this a joke? Because it isn’t funny.” My legs shake under the table. Bile rises in my throat. This is a fucking nightmare, and someone needs to wake me up right now.

RIGHT. NOW.

Bill folds his hands and rests them in front of his plate. “Look, I know you’re emotional, and it’s hard to take rejection with grace but—”

“This isn’t about myfucking emotions!” I scream, slamming my palm on the table. “You can’t do this!”

“It’s already done.”

I knew this man didn’t like me. He’s never made working at the research center easy, but I never pegged him to be a cold-hearted liar and a snake.

Then again, I could say the same about James.

While I’ve been crying with my team, apologizing for having failed them, and sending our director email after email begging for some time to talk, James had already gone behind my back and put his name on everything and presented it ashis. At the summit I didn’t get to go to. With Bill’s approval.

I want to kill someone.

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