“He’d appreciate the help. Man’s been having a rough time.” Lucas leans forward to see me better. “Then again, Chancellor Green might want you to replace your father. The Lance name has power behind it, a handy tool when you’re an ambassador.”

I’m aware of that fact, and I don’t like it. We’re talking about interplanetary treatises. Perfect test scores aren’t enough to hold societies intact. I have the historical knowledge, not the experience nor the will. I’ll take archiving over ambassadorial duties any day if it still gets me to Ladia.

“I’ll see,” I say at last.

“How about you, Mr. Rafting?”

Michael clasps his hands and leans forward to rest on his knees. “Not too sure. Threshold’s always called for me, though.”

“Fair enough.”

Victoria steadies herself when the maglev train rounds a turn. I feel my body drag sideways and know the train is slowing down. The hatch slides up and we walk into another underground station. From here, Lucas pushes me into an elevator and we ride it into a large white room filled with Officials who are waiting to go underground. They move aside and mutter ‘Morning, Lieutenant’ as Victoria passes.

“How about a quiz?” Lucas says as he leads us down the hall. “Who can tell me when the idea for the Embassy Program originated?”

“Standard year 3039,” Ellin says.

“Yes. Between 2950 and 3039, Yillos formed an empire. The intent was to establish a central population, a planet to reflect Earth. Peaceful though it was, not everyone saw it the same way. Husteng argued that all the planets needed to flourish, rather than support the growth of one. Yillos wouldn’t back down, however, and this led to the Battle of Duartes in Standard year 3039.

“The rebellion was short-lived—two days in all—because other planets knew Husteng’s intentions and showed up just as the fighting began. Yillos agreed to concede its power for the sake of exploration and development, and on October 17 of that year, the very first interplanetary treatise was signed: the Treatise of Codependence. And from that day on, exploration and the preservation of humankind has trumped most violent conflict.”

Lucas concludes his speech, and Victoria takes over. “Each planet received quotas, which could range from technological development to agricultural production. Despite being in our infancy, Undil holds most of the space tech industry, which has helped accelerate our own societal developments.”

We reach the end of the hall and pass through a gateway into a large lobby that’s two stories tall.

“Welcome to the Hall of Treatises,” Victoria says, spreading her arms.