In the scarred and war-battered United Commonwealth, ten-year-old Cia Vale watches her older brother Zeen drearaduated at the top of his class, and being chosen, like his father was before him, means a chance to attend The University and help lead the effort to revitalize postwar civilization Cia is conflicted--she hopes Zeen is chosen, but dreads hi home She also realizes that one day she toochosen But does she realize the deadly path she will have to take?