As I look up at the seven stony faces passing judgment on us, doubt gnaws at me. The council members vary wildly in age and appearance, but each regards us with the same naked suspicion. They clearly are not used to welcoming outsiders into their chambers, especially ones who didn’t announce their presence until today. But at least they’ve agreed to see us. That has to mean something, even if it’s merely a courtesy extended to the Gaian president’s daughter.

Shey stands in the middle of the chamber, her hands clasped behind her back and her chin raised, without a hint of self-consciousness or doubt. Even in her ill-fitting, borrowed clothes, standing in the seat of power of her people’s historical enemy, the sole representative of her entire planet, she looks fearless. For a moment, a surge of affection nearly overwhelms me as I think of her risking everything to be here. Defying her mother, sneaking on board our ship, asking for mercy from people who have every reason to hate her… she did all this, with her head held high, for a chance at peace.

Damn, I sure picked a terrible time to start falling for someone. I swallow hard and tear my eyes away from Shey as the council rises.

“Welcome,” says Councillor Oshiro, who I recognize from Gaia. Their voice is light and airy as it floats through the open chamber. “While this is an unusual occurrence for us, the council is, of course, pleased to entertain visitors from our neighboring worlds. Tell us, off-worlders, what is it that you seek?”

For all her confidence, when the moment comes for Shey to speak, she hesitates. Uncertainty flashes across her features, and her mouth stays glued shut. When the silence lingers a moment too long, and Oshiro raises questioning eyebrows, I clear my throat and step forward.

“Esteemed council members,” I say, a little too loudly, my voice booming dramatically around the small chamber. I pause briefly, trying to determine where the hell the rest of this sentence is going. “I would like to introduce you all to Shey Leonis, the daughter of Talulah Leonis, president of Gaia. Shey sought passage on our ship and a hearing in this chamber for…” I hesitate, realizing I should probably leave the general explaining to Shey. “For a very important reason. So, please, I implore you… take this shit seriously.”

I wince at the awkward closing. Silence falls. A mustached man whose nameplate reads Nikhil Acharya covers a smile with a cough.

“We’re already well aware of who she is,” he says, not unkindly. “Otherwise we would have never granted her an audience.”