John grins and looks at Ellin. She tightens her grip on his shoulder.

The tour guide explains the essentials of living in the apartments and has us fill out documents on the devices we’re carrying. One screen confirms my registration, and another lets me choose a room. I select Room 811, which faces north.

The woman takes back the devices, then leads us to the elevators again. In the main office, she registers our IDs to our rooms.

“You’re moving in today, correct?”

“Yes,” Victoria says.

“All right.” The woman scrolls through a list of time slots. “Come back any time after four o’clock.”

We leave the apartments. I look down the street: Ceremony Dome sits several blocks to the right. Its chrome exterior curves up and out of sight behind a parking complex. Tonight, the Recruits will gather inside and join the ranks of the Undil Embassy, and when morning comes, I will begin my first journey across the stars.

My journey to Ladia.

Chapter Eleven

Father once told me the proudest day of his life would be that of my Induction Ceremony, when the years of Embassy Studies—and his mentoring—would culminate into one night. This night. Tomorrow I will escape my life and travel toward a new planet, a whole world full of people and cities I’ve only heard about in stories and seen in pictures.

But tonight I take my place in Ceremony Dome, surrounded by my Recruit class.

Michael and I meet eyes. His fingers are interlocked, squeezed tight. The Chancellor’s council has already made its decision. Soon we’ll know which of us will succeed my father as an ambassador.

A man stands. It’s Director Henri Estilon: he spoke at the opening banquet. His face appears on the giant displays, and the audience gets quiet.

“Welcome to the Induction Ceremony of Standard year 4319. It has truly been a pleasure to watch this Embassy’s future progress over the course of the week and unite under our crest. To the families and friends watching this ceremony at home: you can trust that we have full faith and confidence in your Recruits.”

My thoughts flash to Mother. She said she would watch the ceremony. Can she see me? Are Flavia and Erinn watching? When they find me, they’ll squeal and giggle and wave at the screen, hoping somehow I can see them, too.

“Next, I would like to thank the Recruits who enlisted with Shield Tower. Your services will further our efforts to develop an integrated relationship between the military and the Embassy. We are eager to see Shield evolve, and are confident in Commander Mannard’s goals to promote cooperation between the militaries of other embassies.”

The audience applauds. Commander Mannard’s face drifts across the screen—as rigid as he was in real life—followed by images of Molters, transports, weapons, and a sunrise-backed silhouette of Shield Tower.