For all the jokes Scorpia and I made, I have no idea how this is going to go. If the Nibirans decide not to take in the Gaians, we’ll surely be arrested, and all of this will have been for nothing. And even if they do agree, I doubt they’re going to let us walk so easily after I brought a class-one contraband item into the council chamber. No matter how this goes, it’s hard to see how it will end well for us.

Acharya rises to speak for the council. One voice for one unanimous decision, as is traditional.

“Normally, I would begin this judgment by thanking you for bringing this matter to our attention,” he says, nervously smoothing out his mustache. “But given the circumstances, I believe we can skip directly to our decision.”

Drom chuckles behind me.

“The council has heard your plea and considered this grave matter with as much care as our time constraints allowed,” the councilman continues. “After deliberation, we have decided that we do not have the space nor the resources to host the population of Gaia.”

My stomach drops, a cold feeling spreading throughout my limbs. Did we really come so far, do so much, all for nothing? Despair grips me at the thought—but the man continues.

“We cannot offer our planet as a permanent solution to the Gaians’ problem. However, we also cannot turn our back on a neighbor in need.”

A thin sliver of hope breaks through—but still, it’s not clear what that means. I glance at Scorpia, who looks as confused as I do.

“C’mon, spit it out already,” she blurts out. “What did you decide?”

The man clears his throat.

“The Gaians will be welcome here for a temporary stay,” he says, his voice stiff. “In return for full disclosure about the circumstances of Gaia’s decline, and proper compensation to ensure our own people will not suffer. They may remain on Nibiru for three months, during which time we will do our best to assist them in finding a permanent solution.” He looks directly at Shey now. “Will the terms of this agreement be acceptable, Ambassador Leonis?”

Shey, standing at the front of the room, is frozen in place for a moment. She takes a breath. Her hands start to extend in the Gaian expression of gratitude, but she stills it halfway through and inclines her body in a deep Nibiran bow instead.

“Your generosity is boundless, as is our debt to you,” she says, her voice little more than a whisper.

The man gestures for her to rise, his expression softening.

“We will discuss the specifics directly with the president.”

“Yes. Of course. I will contact her immediately.”