“My mother is a sweet and gentle woman, the most beautiful in the whole Empire. Our family was small: just the two of us and our cat, Mr. Stinky. But it was enough. I didn’t need nor want more than that.

I was a smart girl, smarter than other children my age. It was plain to see. I was barely five when the Evaluators decided I would begin a Class One education to eventually become an Alpha Role Imperial Citizen.
My mom was so proud, of course. I was going to be important. I was going to be powerful and influential.”