Erick signaled to merge onto the bridge fording Santos Creek. On the north side of the river, downtown bustled with its typical fervor. The neighborhoods across the bridge seemed dead in comparison, rows of tiny duplexes with minuscule yards and peeling siding. “Naturally,” Erick said, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. “That’s important. People would say it’s wise of you to have such a mature idea about your future at your age.” His voice sounded odd, and I glanced sideways at him. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Academy, the way it structures its emphases like a college major. Career preparation at the high school level, rather than post-secondary. It gives kids an extra edge, which we always need in this economy. Of course, I would argue that seventeen is kind of a young age to have your whole life written in stone. You never know what direction your interests are going to lead you in.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been hearing that all week—AresTec, GSAF, you name it. Guys in cravats and ties telling me to follow my dreams. Kind of a moot point, though, isn’t it? It’s not like I can change my scholarship.”

“That’s true. Well, it’s all academic, regardless. I guess what I mean is… I hope you’ll go into this survey with an open mind, Isaak. I know Andy was looking to give the three of you a punishment, but that’s not really my style. I honestly don’t see any harm in pursuing your natural-born curiosity. The whole reason we’re out there in the first place is to learn. We want to know the whole story behind Mars’ geologic history. I’m as eager to learn about the processes that created that arch as you are.”

Somehow I doubted that, unless he’d somehow come across my dad’s coin, too.

Gravel crunched beneath the tires as the truck turned onto my street. “Like I said earlier, geology and archaeology have a lot in common. So I’m hoping we can turn this whole situation into something fun. I know it’s been a rough couple years for you.”

I bristled. I was getting tired of hearing iterations of that sentence.

“But I have to say,” Erick went on, “I think I understand why you jumped into that trench. You’re a bright kid. You’re curious. I know what that’s like, especially when you’re maybe in an environment that’s not challenging you in the ways your mind craves.” When I stared at him, dumbfounded, he chuckled. “You know, you kind of remind me of me when I was your age.”