Prodigal Schemes by Marjorie King

Alex must con the great and powerful Knox.

Ten years have passed since the attack on IAS, and it's graduation day for Alex. That's right, he's nineteen and ready to take on the galaxy... if only Knox would trust him.

Knox secretly plans to meet with Dr. Amalie Mallet, IAS's predictor. She's foreseen catastrophe is coming, and Knox needs to prepare to keep his family safe. But he doesn't allow any of the crew to join the meeting in order to "protect Alex." The only person risking his life will be Knox and Knox alone.

But Knox doesn't know that Alex has eavesdropped on the meeting. When Knox decides to risk his life without asking for help, Alex knows. And Alex is making plans of his own.