Be It Ever Thus

A graduating class from the Star Institute is summoned to the Museum of the Conquered, a sprawling memorial to a vanished civilization that once ruled the planet. Led by the meticulous instructor Mr. Phipper and overseen by a stern captain, the students—among them the earnest class president Billy Kasker—step through guarded gates topped by a glittering Thor gun, a symbol of tradition more than threat. Their guide insists the museum’s “fang‑less” exhibits are harmless, yet the sheer scale of ruined streets, overgrown walls, and silent statues hints at a deeper, unsettling history.

As the group wanders among the crumbling remnants, tension simmers beneath the surface. Rivalries flare, especially between Billy and the cynical Joe Buckner, while the stark contrast between the conquered peoples and their oppressors raises uncomfortable questions about identity and obedience. The museum’s eerie calm sets the stage for a thought‑provoking exploration of what it means to inherit a world built on conquest, leaving listeners eager to see how the young scholars confront the shadows of the past.