Chapter Ten: Benzo

Estrella squares off with the Prime Minister of Earth, Devi Dacoity.  The woman is prickly and standoffish; Estrella initially dislikes her.  It's only temporary though; once Estrella figures out how to connect with the powerful leader, since both are female politicians in an otherwise male-dominated profession.  They become fast friends.

Estrella travels down to Brussels where she is greeted by a handsome bodyguard named Edouard.  With his dreamy good looks and sexy Belgian accent, Edouard is the embodiment of young Estrella's fantasies.  It's going to be a pleasurable visit!  But things are not quite right.  Humans are acting strangely - not just the Prime Minister but everyone she meets, from dignitaries on down to common laborers.  She sees things that don't make sense.  Shocking even.  It all boils down to a single word.  Actually it turns out to be a name.