“I know, I know,” I said, really not wanting to hear yet another lecture about all the awful things that happened in the future if Lincoln survived his night at Ford’s Theatre. Knowing that something that seemed so 100 percent right, like saving the president of the United States, could actually have catastrophic consequences didn’t make it feel any less awful. I’d heard all that before, the last time I’d failed this simulation. But at least last time I hadn’t failed by one measly second.

“So, I’m off to the recap review room?” I asked, silently praying she’d let me off the hook. I mean, how many times could you watch the same recap?

“Correct,” said Professor Treebaun, and I stifled a sigh. Five. You could apparently watch a recap for the same simulation five times.

Professor Treebaun scowled at me, as though he’d read my mind. “You will watch your recap, and you will continue watching recaps until you learn the importance of a second. We will get this simulation on your schedule for next week.”

“Does my mom already know?” I asked, trying and failing to keep the slight pleading tone from my voice.

Professor Brown nodded. “She watched your simulation live from her office.”

“Peachy,” I said, shutting my eyes for a second so I could block out the screenshot of my failure for a moment. Professor Brown finished pulling the electrical sensors off my arms and legs, and I barely flinched as the sticky pads yanked out my arm and leg hair.

“What was that, Cadet Fitz?” asked Professor Treebaun sharply, and I snapped my eyes open.

“Nothing, sir,” I said.

“That’s what I thought,” he said as he unplugged his tablet from the main computer and tucked it in his bag. “You know,” he went on, eyebrow raised, “it would behoove you to study your history a bit more. There was a different access point to that particular stairwell that would have saved you that precious second. I thought you’d have memorized that by now.”

“You and me both,” I muttered.

“Enjoy your recap,” he said over his shoulder as he left the room, the doors sliding shut behind him with an official-sounding metallic click.