Description
For the people of Earth, society has achieved a sort of Utopia. Humanity has since expanded their holdings across hundreds of planets. New planets are constantly being found and colonized. Before colonization, however, a planet must be Pioneered. A Pioneer is a volunteer. Their role is to screen and prepare a planet for Settlement, the act of officially colonizing a planet. The occupation, while lucrative, is as respected as it is feared. Most Pioneers are selected, but even those selected are given the option to refuse: Pioneering is the only career in which Death is a common, even expected risk. Besides Death, Pioneering itself carries the potential for "Chronic Displacement". For this reason, few Pioneers prepare more than three or four planets, and are financially able to retire at that point. Without debate, it is the most dangerous, but most necessary, choice of occupation. Alys Pavais is an eccentric student, but achieves high Aptitude Scores for several subjects. Her favorite and best subject is Creative Writing. As a result of her Aptitude Scores, she has an unusually wide variety of choices for occupation. She goes on to Pioneer more planets than any predecessor. This is a Story of Stars, and the Girl who travels across Them.
Prologue - Utopia
