We reach the intersection where the crash happened. My arms tense up as I turn to the right and pass the spot of the crash. Then I relax my fingers around the steering wheel and refuse to look in the mirror again until the intersection is out of sight.

The road curves away from Cornell. A few hundred yards of cracked desert separate the city from the docks. Three cars are already parked in the circular lot. A guard confirms my identity and lets me pull through.

After we park, I get out and sling my backpack over my shoulder, then activate my trunk’s hover setting and tow it behind me. Flavia and Erinn each grab one of Mother’s hands. We step inside the terminal and ride an elevator to the main level.

Victoria is standing in the waiting area with Glacia and her family. Jaston and his fiancé stand to the side to let Glacia and her parents huddle close together.

When Victoria sees us, she hurries over, her black braid swinging under her arm.

“I’m Victoria Hofhen,” she tells Mother. “I’ll be in charge of Arman for a while.”

Mother steps behind me and massages my arms.

“He’s ready.”

Victoria smiles gently. “I know he is.”

She points over at a man sitting alone on a bench. He doesn’t notice us looking at him.

“Mr. Rafting was the other Recruit who scored perfectly on the Placement Report, in case you’re wondering. Cornell’s got a dedicated batch this year. Received the highest average on Undil.”

The elevator opens again and two people walk out: the brother and sister. Ellin—the sister—looks worried, but her brother seems much more excited. I recognize him as the twitchy guy from the Placement Report. His eyes dart around the room, taking in everything they possibly can. He raps his sister on the shoulder and points at a holographic display that flashes our departure time to the Embassy. His sister lays a hand on his arm and guides him toward us.

“I’m John,” the guy says the moment he’s within ten feet of Victoria. He eagerly offers his hand to her, which she shakes. “This is my sister. I got a higher score,” he adds in an excited whisper.

Ellin finally cracks a smile, albeit a small one.

“Hello, Lieutenant.”

A hand flies up in front of my face.

“Hi, I’m John.”

He flashes his teeth in a wide grin, eager to shake my hand. I wonder if he remembers me staring at him before the exam.

“Arman.”

I shake his hand. His palm is sweaty from outside. Ugh.

“Ready, Arman? We’re all going to the Embassy together. We’ll be heroes!” A dreamy expression settles on his face. “Imagine that. Exploring the galaxy… Saving the day… That’d be the life, huh? I could get used to—”