Aria's POV
Sunday morning arrived with all the subtlety of an execution notice. I'd spent the night rehearsing my performance, running through every possible response Aldrin might give, preparing for every scenario except the ones where I ended up dead or disappeared.
Hayes escorted me to breakfast with his usual efficiency, apparently unaware that his charge was about to attempt the most dangerous con job in Academy history.
"You seem nervous this morning," he observed as I pushed food around my plate without eating.
"Just thinking about my upcoming assignment."
"Academic pressure can be challenging. Perhaps you should speak with your instructors if the workload is becoming unmanageable."
If only he knew what kind of assignment I was really preparing for.
"I'll manage, sir. Thank y
