“Less effort,” Jetson said, staring expectantly. “Less water, less fertilizer, less light, less tending by humans.”

I inhaled. “You mean the field hands.”

He nodded. “With this New Seed, the Second Brothers could work half of the time and produce just as much food.”

I pictured the backbreaking work. From my window, the people were small. Just brightly colored hair scarves in the outfield. “With this New Seed, they could rest,” I said. An unexpected desire bloomed inside me. “This New Seed sounds like a gift from Obi Solomon himself,” I said. “So, what’s the problem?”

“They can’t plant the Seed without Assembly approval.”

“Right.” I knew this from my studies. “Is someone blocking the approval?”

“Yes and no,” he said. “A conservative faction of Senators, led by the English, don’t want change. The last two votes on the Seed were tied.”

“I don’t understand, why would anyone be against agricultural progress, especially the English?”

“Think about it, Arika.”

I shrugged. “The English are supposed to engage in agricultural engineering.”

In fact, from my personal research—aided by Teacher Saxon’s private library—I knew that the North was crowded with mega-laboratories, skyscrapers staffed with research assistants conducting thousands of studies.

I thought out loud. “Why would a Northridge Senator be against the Kongo producing food more efficiently. From the birthing control laws, to the laws against waste, the Compromise prizes efficiency. Opposing the Seed should be treason!”

“Yes—which is exactly what the New Seed Party claims,” Jetson said. “That’s the political faction that supports the New Seed. Director Kumar is the head. He sponsored the Mind-Lab Bill that provided Assembly funding that expanded the technology beyond the soybean.”

Covington stepped forward. “Look, I don’t have all night to wait while your boyfriend here fills you in.”

Heat burned my cheeks.

“What we need to know now is whether Jones is in support of the New Seed.”

“How do you know she’s chosen a side?”

“This is the central issue facing America today. Everyone has chosen a side.”

“I haven’t. I only just now learned of the Seed.”

She snorted. “Pardón, what I meant to say is, everyone who lives in the real world, and not some fantasy Schoolhouse land, has chosen a side.”

I pursed my lips. “I haven’t heard anything,” I said, finally.

“Are you sure?”

Hannibal stepped forward, a sympathetic look on her plain face. “The problem, Arika, is that sometimes you, well, we all tend to close our ears and eyes to things we’re afraid to acknowledge.”

“What they’re trying to say is, you’ve probably heard something,” East Keep said. “So take some time and think about it. We have the meeting tomorrow night, don’t forget.”

Reluctantly, I nodded. “What does all this have to do with the new kid?” I asked.