An Agent's Inbox #10

Dear Ms. Smith,

Eighteen-year-old Lilja is laser-sure of her dream to pilot a geimskip into orbit, but less sure of the changing relationship with her best friend, Finnur. She can’t have both, not when she’s applied for an internship on the space station with the Icelandic Power Corporation--a company whose geothermal power plant is a danger to Iceland, according to Finnur. When Lilja finds out that Finnur’s been planning to thwart the plant’s expansion behind her back, she doesn’t think twice about proving him wrong and accepting the internship.

During initial tests at the IPC’s space station, Lilja excels at the flying sims, putting her dream of piloting a geimskip within reach. But she soon discovers Finnur was right in his concerns--the IPC’s power plant is triggering earthquakes in Iceland. When she witnesses the murder of a fellow intern who uncovers how to permanently disable the plant from the Kraka geimskip, Lilja must find a way aboard the Kraka before an even greater earthquake destroys her hometown--and everyone in it.

Complete at 65,000 words, BRIGHTEST MIDNIGHT is a YA sci-fi with eco-thriller elements. My work has been published in Pugalicious Press’ TIMELESS anthology of YA historical romance and the SPAIN FROM A BACKPACK anthology, the Compass Media Rainbow Readers online reading series for children, as well as FACES, COBBLESTONE, and APPLESEEDS magazines.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this project.

Best,

K.W.

BRIGHTEST MIDNIGHT

Waiting for my notification is torture. After refreshing my tablet non-stop all day at school and one last time when I arrive at the airstrip, I’ve had enough. It’s a relief to power it down and stow it away. I don’t need to hear the ping of a new message anyway. I’d much rather fly.

Finnur’s waiting for me at the tail section of his dad’s Haukur 100. It’s the lone propeller plane on the tarmac, but it stands proudly next to the jets lined up like shiny toys. Its sturdy metal frame looms against a gunmetal-gray Icelandic sky.

Finnur’s dark blond hair falls over the bridge of his nose as he greets me with a smile. “Hi, Lilja.”

“Ready to catch some air?” I rub my hands together.

He raises an eyebrow. “You know you sound like a twelve-year-old boy, right?”

I pull myself as tall as I can manage in my pointy-heeled boots. Even with the extra two inches, the top of my ponytail only reaches Finnur’s shoulder. “You know my motto,” I shoot back. “Fly like someone’s chasing you.”

Finnur rolls his eyes and follows my lead as I climb into the cockpit.

He doesn’t know how much I need the distraction of my weekly joy-ride because I haven’t shared my secret with him, or with anyone. But when the acceptances finally go out today, I’ll either get to spill my news--or be forced to watch my dream slip away.