Shawna Thomas is indigenous, and her people suffered First Contact twice. First there were the European Settlers. Now it’s the Occupation Force of the Pangalactic Empire. They’ve imposed an acclimatization policy on Earth, and made it a tributary of the Empire. Shawna's public in depth reading of imperial edicts are mistaken for adulation of the Empire. She’s invited to the main graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Imperial Curriculum. It could be her greatest chance for subversion if she doesn’t get co-opted.