I nod to show I understand, but my face betrays my unease. Chancellor Green frowns, then reaches into his pocket.

“I was going to save this for later, but I think you need a bit of good news right now, don’t you?”

He hands me a plain white card. I flip it around, and my heart leaps for joy.

Ladia Purnell

House 58, Axio Street

Subari, Belvun

“General Orcher said to give it to you,” he says. “A surprise your father left him with. If I’m not mistaken, you’re supposed to visit Miss Purnell when you go to Belvun, correct?”

“Yeah, she—”

“—came to Undil a few years back,” he finishes. “It looks like you’ll get to see her again, won’t you?”

He winks, probably thinking he’s the first to tell me I’ll be boarding Orcher’s expedition to Belvun. But Victoria spoiled the surprise for him down in her office.

“Just remember, Arman: there are times for duty and times for self-interest. As long as you keep up with your work, I don’t foresee any problems.”

“Thank you, sir,” I say, unable to stop a smile from spreading across my face. A real smile, because I’m happy. None of that fake stuff Glacia’s trying to make me do.

We continue the interview, an assortment of questions about the Embassy and elements of treatise writing. He even has me explain what I think should go into a treatise, and what I think the most important type of treatise between planets could be. I tell him anything to do with trade routes, but he explains how treatises that promote planetary cooperation—not independence—are most vital. The entire time, however, I can’t keep my mind off of Ladia’s address.

Chancellor Green thanks me for meeting with him, and then I ride the elevator up to Floor 68. Back in my dorm, I fall onto my bed and close my eyes. My stomach growls—I still haven’t eaten lunch—but I ignore the pangs. Food’s not important right now.

I finally know where Ladia lives. I’m that much closer to finding her again. And as if that wasn’t good enough for today, there’s still a Hologis tournament to play.

Chapter Nine

Cool air pours out of vents near the ceiling. A single strip of red light runs along the top of the tunnel in which all one hundred players are waiting for the arena gate to open.

I flex my fingers. Swing my arms. The Hologis suit creates a springy sensation whenever I move, and the embedded sensors give it a rumpled texture. This is official Hologis material, not the plastic stuff Cornell uses.