The crew of the Asimov are looking forward to a break before their final term of exams, but the Admiralty have plans for their hard-earned vacation. Tasked with escorting a group of human and alien children to Ottavar VII, a Kesrami colony world, with Admiral Hinsharis visiting friends on the other side of the planet, Junior Academy Cohorts 13 and 14 soon discover that they will also play host to Rasson Tereena's niece, Enkatta, who is rapidly approaching her Mastery studies. Hidden secrets of the Rasson family are disclosed, and the Mentor Squads face some difficult challenges - and that's even before they reach Ottavar.
Upon arrival, the crew are met by the Sikara Interplanetary Defence Army. This could be part of Packmaster Preshan Telsor's offer to support the EDF with the Meritocracy's reserve fleet, but for the presence of General Ardolan Keefer, head of SIDA, aboard their picket vessels. On the surface below awaits another surprise - Enkatta's schoolmates have also been brought to the planet, and are staying in the same resort as the human/Alliance trip; the crew are quick to capitalise, organising combined events for the groups, including visits to a museum, an archaeological dig site and an overnight camp in the nearby mountains.
Following an incident that injures two children and discoveries that shake everyone to the core, Admiral Hinsharis is recalled from leave to deliver the news that Ottavar VII is doomed by a series of volcanic lakes, all expected to erupt in the coming weeks and months. The Asimov must now coordinate the full-scale evacuation of the planet, with limited help likely to reach the world in time to rescue more than a fraction of its populace - unless the Sol and Paltaxis branches of the Academy can work together on a daring plan that will push the limits of science and technology, and two young children can truly be the adults of tomorrow, today.
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