The first in the "Children of Power" series, this book chronicles the first day of school at Smith Valley: an intergalactic university for students with powerful connections. Wherever they come from, students and teachers at Smith Valley will have to learn to relate to each other first and the rest of the universe second... for as long as their term lasts.

At Smith Valley, a private school for privileged interstellar youth, everyone is as anonymous as they want to be. No matter their title or family name, students are guaranteed an education and an alias if they choose one. For some, the year at Smith Valley is their only chance to be unknown.

Jenni is an ambassador's daughter, out to prove she can make it as a deaf student who doesn’t use verbal translators. Her roommate Michiko is from Earth, its limited technology putting her at a disadvantage in a world of space travel and alien cultures. Michiko's friend Roris uses sign language to help the roommates communicate with each other.

Kechana signs too, coming to Smith Valley after being suspended from her work as a dolphin liaison for getting too personal. She shares a room with Hope, famous daughter of the frontier and a runaway at the time of enrollment. Hope’s brother Kae has added himself to the student roster to keep an eye on her.

They share little language and less history, but they've all come to Smith Valley to learn. The teachers aren't above staging a mock-battle on the first day to make it happen.