The family vehicle, a clean white rover, speeds down the freeway heading away from Mare Crisium and into the hills that surround it.

Into the man-made countryside.

The Moreno parents are seated up front. Elisia sits passenger and Flavius drives. Behind the front chairs is a large passenger bay with meticulously cleaned beige leather seats that line the perimeter of the cabin. In the center of the bay is a small coffee table with cup holders integrated atop. This is a modern luxury sport utility vehicle. Though as clean as it is, one could tell it’s been lived in. The tidy nature of the interior comes from repeated maintenance. Berkeley and Genevieve sit across from one another.

"I don’t really remember much about them." Genevieve says.

"It’s been almost ten years since they’ve visited." Elisia explains.

"Oh. I probably couldn’t even say the word ‘Archer’ when I was six."

"You were a remarkable reader at that age. Three grade levels ahead of the rest of your class." Flavius comments. He keeps the wheel steady as he drives.

"She’s implying that it would be more of a speech issue, dear." Elisia notes.

"I think they go hand in hand."

"Why are we going to visit them now?" Berkeley speaks up.

"Helena has connections. I brought up the… Sebastian issue during our bi-monthly brunch over the weekend and she seemed to get quite perturbed—even with the absence of evidence." Elisia explains.

"He hasn’t returned my calls in over a week! Something’s going on!" Berkeley can’t hide his frustration.

"You know how your brother is. He isolates himself when he endures emotional distress. He gets it from his grandfather."

"Mine or yours?" Flavius asks.

"Please, dear."

Berkeley sighs. Genevieve stares out the window. The family rides together in silence for a minute.

"I, however… received a message from Helena this morning." Elisia continues. "She asked around and apparently, there has been a rather significant development."

"What happened?" Berkeley asks.

"She didn’t divulge any details. She, however, sounded quite excited and stressed that we meet with her today. I hardly ever see her in this state. I’m assuming the news is substantial."

"Huh. I wonder who she talked to." Berkeley ponders.

"And why didn’t she just tell you during the call?" Genevieve asks.

"Maybe she couldn’t. State confidentiality and all." Flavius ponders.

Elisia momentarily eyes the large entertainment terminal mounted to the dashboard. A device equipped with a camera and microphone. She clears her throat.

"Helena is burdened by a constant desire to… flaunt. Perhaps this brunch charade and informational reveal will get it out of her system." She says.

"It sounds like she has a constant desire for brunch, too." Genevieve quips.

Everyone in the car laughs briefly.

"I suppose you’re right. It is an acceptable excuse to drink in the morning." Elisia says.

The family rides together in silence for several minutes. Elisia stares out at the passing city, watching people go about their lives peacefully. The streets of Mare Crisium are spacious enough to alleviate any traffic congestion and stress. The building facades and sidewalks are eerily clean, washed daily by automated drones. The golden spires that tower throughout the concave metropolis gleam magnificently in the sun’s light. The air within the dome is clear of any ships and is only occupied by drones of reasonable size, each efficiently going about its task from delivery to surveillance. Beyond the dome, ship float by in blissful silence. She admires her handiwork as she looks up at the glass-sealed sky above her. Elisia’s mind begins to wander amongst the tranquility before her. She has always been thankful to raise her family here—to live amongst the Lunar colonies’ return to halcyon. Life here has been perfect for almost a century. There has never been a reason to leave.

"When I was your age, Earth’s colonies were no place to live." She says.

"When you were our age, the rebellion was still around." Berkeley responds.

"No, not quite. By the time your mother and I started dating, the war had been over for a few years." Flavius corrects.

"The war never stopped. That’s why I just don’t understand why that boy went down there." Elisia’s frustration pokes through her ever neutral tone.

"Mom, stop." Genevieve becomes upset.

"And what does that say about us as parents? That he would rather leave for a war-battered hellscape than stay here with us? Where did we go wrong?" Elisia rubs her eyes closed.

Berkeley and Genevieve share a look of frustration. Flavius takes an exit that leads onto a wide back road. Fields of grass surround the road. An artificial breeze moves through the fields, swaying the blades like waves on the ocean. Bright yellow mustard flowers bloom throughout, glowing like golden sea foam. As they drive further and further into the hills, large mansions begin to appear. Private estates that span acres dot the landscape, each surrounded by large gardens and expansive vineyards.

After about twenty minutes driving, the Morenos arrive at the Archer’s château. The driveway consists of a small roundabout with a tall marble fountain in the center. Flavius parks the car and everyone gets out. As soon as the family approaches the front door, it opens and Helena Archer steps outside. Her entire body slightly slumps as she walks through the door. She is a slender woman in a pristine silky white dress with awkwardly long, delicate, gold chain earrings. Her chin remains lifted to assert her ever-present confidence. Her wrinkles are abnormally faint considering her age—one could correctly assume that she’s had some work done.

"Why, hello!" She greets with a wide, stiff, smile.

"Good morning, Helena." Elisia remains instinctively formal.

"Oh, Elisia. Loosen those shoulders why don’t you. I haven’t seen you kids in ages! Look how much you’ve grown!" Helena laughs.

She hugs everyone and ushers them inside. As they cross through the large front doorway, everything becomes lighter. There’s no artificial gravity in this room.

Several decades ago, living in low gravity was the sole choice for those living amongst the stars. But since the invention of gravity generators, it’s become an antiquated practice reserved only for those seeking nostalgia. Or the wealthy, emulating some kind of narcissistic Sistine divinity. Helena’s long golden earrings begin to drift into the air, wafting beautifully as if submerged underwater—the jewelry’s intended aesthetic. Genevieve crosses her arms in silent frustration as her ponytail begins to float behind her head like a snake.

Large gold-laced marble pillars support an open space occupied almost entirely by a large, round reflecting pool surrounded by large expensive-looking plants. The plants are fed using a calming stream of crystal-clear water that surrounds the pool’s perimeter, running along a marble channel with golden flakes woven within that resemble rolling river sands. Floating orbs of additional warm light hover above the pool, substituting for the illumination absorbed by the deep, dark, scarlet walls. The traversable area of the pool acts more as a perimeter walkway that bridges the surrounding halls and rooms together through this interior courtyard. A round opening in the ceiling, matching the exact size of the pool, reveals the star-filled sky above. The vastness of space is reflected in the perfectly still water. The Moreno’s all gawk at the luxurious room for a moment. Berkeley begins to take off his shoes.

"No need for that, dearie. The staff cleans the floors every night." Helena explains as she leads them further in.

A large marble table awaits with seven seats and plates ready for dining. In the center of the table is a ridiculously large charcuterie board covered with a wide variety of meats, cheeses and fruits. Helena sits down first and the family follows suit, taking the four seats arranged on the opposite side of the table from Helena.

"You’re expecting two more?" Elisia asks.

"Why of course. My fiancé will be attending, as well as a friend of mine who bears important news about our dear Sebastian." Helena explains. "Please help yourselves." She gestures towards the table. Genevieve raises her phone up to take a picture of the charcuterie. Berkeley quickly grabs a bunch of different fruits and cheese to ruin the presentation.

"Ugh." Genevieve shakes her head and puts her phone away.

"So Berkeley, last time I saw you, you had just turned eleven. Now look at you! A full grown man." Helena says, resting her chin upon her raised, crossed fingers.

"Yes—"

"So what is it that you do? What is your occupation?"

"I’m a member of the Royal Guard—"

"Ah! The Household Cavalry! How excellent. Officer?"

"As of last year, yes—"

"Strapping! We really must celebrate such an accomplishment—ah look! Here we are now!" Helene giggles loudly.

Her eccentric personality has a certain charm to it, so the joke earns a few smiles and chuckles around the table.

"And how about you, my dear Genevieve? On the cusp of womanhood. What are your prospects?"

"I… was recently accepted into my dream university—"

"Sea of Tranquility?!" Helena almost stands to her feet in excitement.

"Oh. Uh. No, it’s the Brahe Academy in Tycho."

"Ah yes! It’s a wonderful institution, dear. Truly. Congratulations! You’ll have to excuse my premature delight. As you recall, the University of Tranquility is where your mother and I met, of course." Helena explains, laughing at her own presumption.

"Really?" Genevieve asks, turning towards Elisia for confirmation.

"Mhm." Elisia nods rigidly.

Footfalls descend upon a nearby curved staircase of a comparably lavish and elaborate description to the rest of the space. Descending from the stairs is a slim middle-aged man. He wears a silver suit jacket with a silky floral pattern woven along the chest and shoulders. His hair is long, braided, and dyed light blue at the tips. It’s tied into a neat bun that bobs gently above his head. He wears a pair of long silver chord-like earrings that drift upward alongside his braids. As he turns the corner to face the family, he jumps, completely startled by their presence.

"Oh!" He speaks gently.

"Everyone! This is Jasper, my lovely fiancé." Helena explains as she saddles up next to him.

"Another brunch?" Jasper asks.

"Yes, my love." She responds curtly.

She reaches over to Jasper and grabs his hand, holding it forward to show off the large diamond ring on his finger.

"We’re to be wed this autumn!" She says giddily.

"Congratulations!" Genevieve smiles.

"Why thank you, dearie! I know a botanist in the Vanguard’s bioengineering sector who can create the most beautiful scarlet oak you’ve ever seen. Oh my heart just flutters imagining the aisle lined with ruby leaves on our big day!" Helena giggles.

The unrestrained excess within Helena’s words leaves the entirety of the Moreno family speechless. The casual misuse of government resources raises many questions as well.

"It sounds lovely." Flavius speaks up.

"Doesn’t it? Ah, Flavius. You’ve always had an eye for the picturesque, haven’t you?" Helena says as she shifts her sight from Flavius to Elisia.

Elisia smiles politely. There is a soft chime, like a note on a Mbira, that originates within the reflecting pool and ripples throughout the chateau.

"Ah! He’s here!" Helena giddily hops towards the front door. Her small jumps become lengthy leaps with the lowered gravity.

She opens the front door. "Hello!" She says. "This way. How was the drive?"

Following Helena is a man of an eerily symmetrical structure, wearing a perfectly tidy pitch black suit, white dress shirt and black tie.

"Everyone! This is my good friend, Mr. Barlow. He’s an information director for the Eclipse!" Helena greets with an eager smile. She is very proud to show him off.

Barlow looks a bit taken aback by the number of people in the room.

"Good morning, folks. Should I get right to it?" There is an urgency in his voice.

Berkeley is very eager to hear what he has to say.

"No! No! Food first!" Helena chirps.