Until tonight, I didn’t care. But now a twisted jealousy strikes my chest: why can’t I be like the other Recruits? Why can’t I smile? Why can’t I be excited? I’m ready to escape Undil, but what is there for me to come back to? Because I will have to come back.

Eventually.

“Glacia Haverns: Ember Station Pilot.”

Glacia stands and smiles for her picture.

“Arman Lance: Ember Station Archivist.”

I stand, but can’t bring myself to smile. My lips curl awkwardly. I don’t belong here. Happiness and laughter fill the room, but hatred spawns in my chest. Mother and Flavia and Erinn are watching. Everyone can see my angry embarrassment.

My teeth clamp down on my lip. It’s painful but I don’t care. I need a distraction from the pit growing in my stomach.

I want to forget this.

“Ellin Mistin,” Victoria goes on, “Ember Technical Station Systems. John Mistin: Horizon Tower Cartographer.”

Ellin tenses up and John grabs her wrist.

“Michael Rafting: Ambassador.”

Ping!

The camera snaps our picture. John is still holding Ellin’s wrist, and Michael and I look miserable. Only Glacia finds the strength to smile.

Victoria announces the Recruits from Holistead. Jeremy Pilkins joined Shield Tower. His friend, Alonso Kelvin, is assigned to the Drake—one of the stations in Orcher’s fleet—to work in Biological Containment Systems. He and Jeremy throw their arms over each other’s shoulders and flash shameless grins.

It takes Victoria a full forty-five minutes to name every Recruit. There are two hundred and forty of us. By the time she finishes, her voice has started to scratch. She grabs a glass of water and the screens switch back to Orcher, who took a seat on the side of the stage.

“There they are,” he says, motioning behind him. “The Recruits of Standard year 4319. Forty-nine of them will join my crew and travel on Expedition 1028, to Belvun. Under my guidance, and that of the late Ambassador Lance, Ambassador Rafting will present a revised treatise to the Belvish Embassy. This joint effort between Undil, Daliona, and Narviid should eventually bring Belvun’s desert back under control and restore balance the planet’s damaged ecosystems.”

The audience applauds the mission. Orcher claps with them, then turns sideways and motions for the Recruits to stand. Director Estilon rises on his balcony again, and when he speaks, his voice booms above the crowd.

“Under the crest of the Undil Embassy, I hereby induct our freshest generation: Recruit Class 4319!”

Part 2

The Void

Chapter Twelve

Michael stays in Ceremony Dome to speak with Orcher, so Victoria meets me and Glacia and walks us outside. Night has taken hold and a warm breeze blows down the street.

“Arman, hold up,” Victoria calls out.

I stop walking toward the apartment complex. She and Glacia are standing a few feet back, watching me.

“What?”

Glacia folds her arms and rocks on her heels.